Tree problems · Other damage
Drought Stress: signs and what to do
Drought Stress is a kind of non-living (abiotic) damage, often seen on maples, oaks, beech and birch. Look for: wilting, curling or drooping leaves during the day.
General information, not a diagnosis. A certified arborist or your county extension office can confirm.
- Other damage
- Maples
- Oaks
- Beech and birch
- Hemlock, spruce and pine
- Dogwood and tulip poplar
- Western conifers
Signs to look for
Tick what you see. More ticks make it more likely, but only an on-site look can confirm.
0 of 7 signs ticked. Ticks stay in this browser only.
Season
Summer and early fall are the usual times, but a dry winter can stress evergreens. Effects can show a year or two after a drought.
How it spreads
Drought stress is not an infection and does not spread. It weakens the tree, which can then be attacked by borers, bark beetles and canker fungi. Young trees and trees with limited roots in lawns or pavement are hit first.
Where it is found
Drought happens in every part of the US from time to time, and some regions face it more often. Check your state official map; ranges change.
Official sources
What to do
- 1
Water deeply and slowly at the drip line, so water soaks down about a foot. Short daily sprinkles do not help.
- 2
Check the soil: dig a few inches and feel if it is dry before you water.
- 3
Add two to four inches of mulch over the root zone, kept off the trunk.
- 4
Water trees early in the day to reduce loss to evaporation.
- 5
Do not prune heavily or fertilize a stressed tree.
- 6
Look for signs of borers or other pests in the next year and ask a pro if you see them.
Safety first: do not climb, do not cut near power lines and do not use a chainsaw on storm-loaded wood. Call the utility for downed lines and 911 if anyone is in danger.
Prevention
Choose trees that suit your climate and soil. Mulch, water newly planted trees regularly for the first few years, and keep lawn mowers and weed trimmers away from the trunk.
When to call a pro
Call an arborist if leaves are scorched on large parts of the tree, if limbs are dying, or if you see borer holes, sap or sawdust. Also call if you are not sure whether a tree is dead or just dormant.
Not sure who to call? Read how to hire a tree service or check is my tree dangerous?
Trees it affects
Usually seen on: Maples, Oaks, Beech and birch, Hemlock, spruce and pine, Dogwood and tulip poplar, Western conifers, Most young trees.
- Red Maple
- Silver Maple
- Sugar Maple
- Norway Maple
- Japanese Maple
- White Oak
- Northern Red Oak
- Pin Oak
- American Beech
- Paper Birch
- River Birch
- Eastern Hemlock
- Eastern White Pine
- Norway Spruce
- Colorado Blue Spruce
- Douglas-fir
- Flowering Dogwood
- Tulip Poplar
- Green Ash
- Black Cherry
- Western Red Cedar
- Coast Redwood
- Bigleaf Maple
- Eucalyptus
See all species in our tree library, or pick a tougher tree with the tree picker.
For tree companies
How to explain drought stress to a customer
Explain that drought can hurt a tree long after the rain returns. Give simple watering advice, offer mulching and a check later in the season, and be honest that you cannot promise recovery. Do not recommend removal unless the tree is truly dead or unsafe.
Send this page to the customer after your visit so they can read the signs in plain words. See also selling plant health care and the job photo checklist.
Questions
How can I tell drought stress from disease?
Drought shows on many trees at once, often scorched edges and early color. Disease often hits a single tree or one part. An arborist can tell for sure.
How much should I water a tree?
Slowly and deeply so the soil is wet down about a foot, then wait until the soil starts to dry. Ask your extension office for local advice.
Do mature trees need watering?
In long dry spells, yes, especially in lawns, near pavement or on shallow soil.
Will my tree recover after a drought?
Many do, but some show dieback the next year or become open to pests. Keep caring for it.
Should I fertilize a stressed tree?
Usually not. Fertilizer can push growth the tree cannot support. Water and mulch first.
Does mulch really help?
Yes. A few inches of mulch keeps the soil cooler and moister. Keep it off the trunk.
Can Lirevon diagnose drought stress on my tree?
No. Lirevon is a remote marketing team for tree service companies and does not do tree work. This page is general information, not a diagnosis. A certified arborist or your county extension office can confirm what is wrong with your tree.
How do I find a good local pro for this?
Search Google Maps for certified arborists or tree services near you, read their reviews and ask for proof of insurance. Get two or three written quotes. Our guide on how to hire a tree service lists the questions to ask.
Related tree problems
- Girdling Roots (Other damage)
- Cankers (Disease)
- Construction Damage (Other damage)
- Herbicide damage (Other damage)
- Road salt damage (Other damage)
- Woodpecker and sapsucker damage (Other damage)