It’s going to be interesting to see what kind of fall color we get this year. We’re still in a severe drought, and most of the trees are extremely stressed. Many of them are already skipping the colorful stage and dropping green or brown leaves instead.
The last time we had a drought this serious was in 1988. Local extension agents learned then and are warning people now that it can take a few years before you’ll know whether your trees survived the drought. Opportunistic insects and harsh weather can wreak havoc on weakened trees long after the dry conditions have passed. In other words, if your trees look good next spring it doesn’t necessarily mean they are out of the woods just yet. Sorry, I couldn’t resist a little tree humor…
I recently read that a mature oak tree can drink 50 to 80 gallons of water a day in summer. I was stunned. I can’t begin to imagine how thirsty the oaks in my neighborhood must be. We didn’t have any rain for most of June, July or August. We got some relief at the very end of August and beginning of September, but it’s been dry again ever since. None of my neighbors watered any of their trees over the summer. We don’t own any of the mature trees that tower over parts of our yard. And I’ve been too busy trying to keep my own perennials and shrubs alive to worry about the neighbors’ trees.
It almost hurts my eyes to look into the canopies and see all the shriveled, brown leaves.
I’m going to go outside now and set up a sprinkler. I hope it’s not too late.