Hot, dry, windy summers are hard on Amarillo trees. Drought rarely kills a tree in a single season, but it weakens it, invites pests and disease and sets up failures later. Texas A&M Extension notes that drought-stressed trees are more vulnerable to insects, and elms on the Texas High Plains are a known example. This guide covers the signs, what you can do and when to call someone.
Signs of drought stress
- Leaves that wilt, curl or turn brown at the edges, called leaf scorch.
- Fall color that starts in midsummer, or leaves dropping early.
- Thin crowns, with smaller or fewer leaves than normal.
- Dead twigs and branch tips, especially in the upper crown.
- Cracked bark or sap oozing from the trunk.
- Insects or fungus that show up on a tree that was fine last year.
Why drought hits trees here
The Panhandle is dry and windy, and many yard trees sit in compacted soil with turf competing for water. Trees planted too deep, trees with roots cut by construction and trees on thin soil are hit first. Wind dries leaves and soil faster. Fast-growing trees use a lot of water, and stressed trees drop limbs more readily, so storm damage is worse on a tree that is already weak.
How to water a stressed tree
Water deeply and slowly, not often and lightly. A common guideline is about 10 gallons per inch of trunk diameter for each watering, spread over the root zone out to the edge of the canopy, not at the trunk. A soaker hose or a slowly running hose does this well. Water every one to two weeks in dry weather instead of a little every day. Check the soil a few inches down before you water again, since overwatering can also harm a tree.
Mulch helps
Spread two to four inches of wood chips or shredded bark in a wide ring around the tree. Keep it a few inches away from the trunk, since mulch piled against the bark causes rot. Mulch holds moisture, cools the soil and cuts competition from grass. The City of Amarillo’s brush sites give residents free wood chips when they are available. See Amarillo brush sites and tree debris options.
What not to do
- Do not fertilize a drought-stressed tree. It pushes growth the tree cannot support.
- Do not prune heavily. Remove dead wood, but leave living leaves, since they feed the tree.
- Do not pile soil or mulch against the trunk.
- Do not assume a tree with no leaves is dead until you have checked. See dead or dying tree in Amarillo TX.
Drought stress and pests
Stressed trees attract borers and other pests, and some diseases take hold more easily. Elms are a clear example, and ABC 7 Amarillo reported in 2015 that drought-stressed trees followed by heavy rain contributed to a surge of elm bark beetles in the Panhandle. See elm trees in Amarillo TX for how to tell drought from pest damage.
Drought and wildfire
Drought also dries out trees and brush, and dead wood near a house adds fuel in a grass fire. Removing dead branches and dead trees near the house is part of preparing a property. See fire-damaged tree assessment in Amarillo TX and land and lot clearing in Amarillo TX.
When a stressed tree is too far gone
If more than half the crown is dead, if the trunk has large cracks or fungus or if the tree has dropped large limbs, it may be beyond saving. Trees like that become hazards, especially near a house or line. A hazardous tree assessment in Amarillo TX will tell you whether to keep nursing it along or take it down.
Water new trees for two or three years
A newly planted tree has a small root system and cannot reach deep water, so it needs regular deep watering through its first two or three summers, especially in Panhandle heat and wind. A slow trickle from a hose at the base for an hour or so, every week or so in dry weather, works better than a quick spray. Add mulch, keep it away from the trunk and keep string trimmers off the bark.
Common questions about drought and trees
How often should I water a mature tree in dry weather?
Deeply, about every one to two weeks when rain is scarce, soaking the soil out to the edge of the canopy. Check the soil a few inches down first. If it is still moist, wait. A lawn sprinkler running for ten minutes does not reach tree roots.
Do lawn sprinklers water my trees?
Not well. Frequent shallow watering wets only the top few inches, where grass roots are, and does little for deeper tree roots. Deep, slow watering less often is better for trees.
How long does it take a tree to recover from drought?
Often a year or more. Damage can show up the season after the drought, with dieback and smaller leaves. Keep watering, mulch and wait before you decide a tree is lost, unless it is clearly dead or dangerous.
Need help with a tree in Amarillo TX?
If you want a professional to look at a tree, request a free tree service quote in Amarillo TX. Describe the tree, where it stands and what worries you, and send photos if you can. You can also print the tree check checklist for Amarillo TX homeowners to walk your property first, or read the tree service FAQ for Amarillo TX.
