PHS experts available: Help for gardeners

PHS experts are available to talk about how to care for trees in dry conditions, how to conserve water, and other topics by calling 215-988-8833 or 215-988-8836.

PHS TIPS ON HOW TO CARE FOR TREES IN DRY CONDITIONS

Water

 *   Water is crucial for your tree’s survival, particularly during the first year after planting. Water deeply and slowly.

 *   Water your tree when the soil is dry beneath the mulch. Apply approximately 15-20 gallons of water once a week from March until the end of October, and twice a week during periods of no or little rain.

 *   Trickle water onto the soil surface using a hose, or allow water to seep from a bucket with small holes in the bottom or a “tree gator.”

 *   The best time to water is before 9 a.m. – during a drought emergency this even may be the law!

Clean

 *   Trash can prevent water from reaching your tree’s roots, and cause a decline in your tree’s health. Substances like motor oil, de-icing salt, detergent, and urine can kill your tree.

 *   Clean the area around your tree periodically and prevent toxic substances like dog pee, leaking garbage, car oil or de-icing salt from entering the soil.

Protect

 *   Tree roots require water and air for survival. Compacted soil and cemented pits prevent water and air from reaching tree roots.

 *   Avoid compacting the soil around the tree’s roots: don’t pile trash, walk or drive over them.

 *   Never cement over the surface of your tree pit.

 *   Bark is necessary for protecting the trunk and maintaining tree health.

 *   Keep car doors, dogs, and bicycles away from the trunk to avoid potential bark wounds.

 *   If you lay dry brick or stone around your tree, keep the material at least 6 inches away from the trunk and check each year to maintain this space (pavers placed too close to the trunk can strangle the bark as the trunk gets wider).

Weed and Mulch

 *   Weeds and grass have extensive root systems that compete with trees for limited resource like water during dry conditions!

 *   Mulch helps conserve water, it reduces the regrowth of weeds and grass, keeps roots cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, prevents lawn mower disease and soil compaction.

 *   Maintain a 2-4” layer of mulch around your tree, taking care not to pack it against the trunk. Always remember to weed and cultivate the soil, before mulching. Recommended mulches include: wood chips, composted leaves, and pine needles.

Plant Annual Flowers

 *   As flowers wilt in the summer heat and drought, they will remind you to water your tree. Annuals have shallower root systems than perennials and do not compete as vigorously with trees.

 *   Plant flowers such as impatiens, begonias, marigolds, and vinca around your tree.

Prune only as a last resort

 *   Pruning a tree during dry conditions can stress it our even more by forcing it to put energy into healing the wounds caused by the pruning cuts. Pruning exposes previously shaded leaves to the strongest rays of the sun, potentially burning them.

DO NOT Fertilize

 *   One of the first reactions that many individuals have when plants are under stress is that the plants should be fertilized. Many fertilizers contain high salt indexes and this salt can exacerbate drought problems on plants

For more information please refer to the PHS website.

For drought status information please visit Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection website.