Drought-Stressed Trees: Why They're Dying & How to Save Them

Years of drought (since 1998) have drained trees' energy reserves. They leaf out each spring hoping for rain that doesn't come, burning stored carbohydrates. Many large oaks and maples now show brown canopies in fall—they're essentially dead, just waiting to fall.

Emergency ICU for Trees

• Water: 15 gallons per inch of trunk diameter per week. Keep root zone moist (not soggy) for a full year—even in winter.
• Mulch: Pine straw/bark to the drip line. Suppresses grass, holds moisture, insulates soil.
• Remove grass competition: Turf roots outcompete tree roots for water.

Spring 2024 will reveal the toll: borers, beetles, and sudden death. Trees that get consistent deep watering and mulch have a fighting chance. Start now.