Grass tells a story about average rainfall over the last few weeks. And if you’ve taken a good look at your grass lately, you’ll quickly deduce that we’ve had plenty of rain. Trees, on the other hand, show us what has been going on beneath the surface over the last few years.
Trees in the Southeast are showing evidence of prolonged summer heat waves and inadequate rainfall from years’ past. Though the worst rainfall ever to deluge the Houston area fell during Hurricane Harvey, and though recently it seems we’ve had more rain than usual, drought still threatens.
“Since Harvey, we have had many days of below-normal rainfall and average monthly temperatures have been above normal,” says Nikki Hathaway, meterologist at the National Weather Service in Houston.
Because our soil is composed largely of clay, most of the floodwaters from Harvey drained into the Gulf of Mexico rather than getting absorbed into the ground. Absent regular rains, drought can manifest even just a few months after major floods. Drought conditions weaken trees and can eventually kill them. To survive, trees need attention during and after periods of flood and drought.
Selecting species most suitable for the Texas climate will help provide the best chance that new trees are able to tolerate diseases and pests, and stay healthy. Plus, shade trees protect the skin from sun exposure. And with skin cancer on the rise, it’s imperative people know how to keep trees healthy so they can keep us healthy, too.
Arborists at The Davey Tree Expert Company recommend these top 10 large-canopied trees for the greater Houston area. These trees are hardy, tolerant of urban and suburban conditions, low-maintenance and able to endure drought conditions:
Shumard oak – The Shumard oak offers a beautiful fall show, with leaves turning from fire red to red-orange. It prefers full sun and will grow to a height of 40-60 feet at maturity.
Chestnut oak – This oak, like most, is tough yet stately. Best of all, this oak isn’t as common as other varieties, making it a unusual tree to plant. This tree can grow up to 100 feet tall at maturity.
Overcup oak – The overcup oak grows in a uniform, oval shape, minimizing the need for pruning. It grows to a height of 45-70 feet at maturity.
Sawtooth oak – The sawtooth oak is a fast-growing tree with jagged tooth-like leaves, true to its name. It grows to a height of 40-60 feet at maturity.
Swamp chestnut oak – Despite the name, a swamp Chestnut oak does not like wet roots. It prefers well-drained soil and is even able to grow in dry areas. It grows to a height of 60-100 feet at maturity.
Willow oak – This native oak tree, which is also called a netleaf oak, is beautiful. Plus, it’s resistant to oak wilt and has very few problems. As a medium-sized oak, it grows to a height of 40-60 feet at maturity.
Live oak – The live oak is a Southern classic and is often seen draped in Spanish moss. It can live to be hundreds of years old. It grows to a height of 40-80 feet at maturity.
Bur oak – The bur oak makes a great urban tree as it tolerates pollution and heat stress well. It grows to a height of 70-80 feet at maturity.
Bald cypress – This pyramid-shaped conifer is both sleek and tough. It has the unique ability to thrive in swamps and Texas’ dry climate. This tree grows to a height of 50-70 feet at maturity. Be warned it does lose its needles in the winter.
Cherrybark oak – The cherrybark oak provides food for many wildlife species. It grows to a height of 60-110 feet at maturity.
Other excellent native and nonnative ornamental trees can also withstand drought conditions. Your local arborist can help select the right tree for the right spot.
One such place that seems to have been the perfect spot for live oaks in the Bayou City is the corner of Augusta and Westheimer. The majestic live oak nestled on Houston’s famed Becks Prime has survived an oil boom, Hurricanes Ike and Harvey, two Super Bowls and dozens of space shuttles over its 400-year lifespan.
Yet it continues to be vital to human health and offers environmental, economical and emotional benefits. This historic live oak tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale per year. Plus, neighborhoods like Augusta, with shady streets and parks, attract people, have lower crime rates and higher property values.
“Trees give back to us all year long,” says Ted Sonnier of The Davey Tree Expert Company in Houston, the caretaker of this 400-year-old oak. “But big trees need proper care, and I’m Texas proud to care for one of the oldest trees in Texas!”
Once the right tree is selected, Davey arborists suggest these tips for ensuring trees are well-watered:
- Mornings are best for watering.
- Water slowly and deeply. To ensure water is used most efficiently, run a sprinkler beneath the tree as slowly as possible, use a drip hose or apply a slow trickle from a garden hose.
- Only water the area under the tree’s branches, known as the drip zone. Water the area under the crown of the tree out to the edge of the canopy. Avoid directly irrigating the trunk,as increased moisture encourages root rot.
- To make sure you’re not overwatering, place an empty soup can near the tree inside the sprinkler pattern and run the sprinkler very slowly over several hours until 2-3 inches has collected in the can.
- Spread mulch in a wide circle, no more than 3 inches deep, around the tree to conserve water. Mulch should be pulled back from the trunk of the tree like a donut, not like a volcano. Recommended mulches include wood chips, shredded leaves, pine needles and compost.
- Fertilize twice a year. Landscape trees compete for nutrients with lawns and shrubs. It’s important to replace those nutrients and fertilize both in the fall and early spring. Tree fertilization improves resistance to damage from diseases, insects and stressful weather.
- Prune dead, damaged or dangerous limbs. Properly pruning a tree not only preserves a more pleasing and natural look, but also can eliminate the spread of disease and extend a trees lifespan. Don’t take on jobs that may be a potential safety hazard – always consult a professional.
- Inspect trees annually. Visually inspect your tree starting from the ground up. “If you see a problem at the base, chances are the tree has more significant problems at the top,” explains Sonnier.
Trees can survive drought, diseases and invasive pests if given proper care. Like people, trees need annual checkups to stay healthy. Consult an arborist for the best course in caring for your trees.
For more information or to schedule a free consultation, visit davey.com or contact the tree experts at the local Davey office, Exceptional Tree Service in Houston at 866-927-6237.
The Davey Tree Expert Company’s more than 9,000 employees provide tree care, grounds maintenance and environmental consulting services throughout the U.S. and Canada. It began operating in 1880 and has been employee-owned for 38 years.
