The Rolling Plains is known for harsh environmental conditions.  A few simple, but very important practices can improve the chances of your plants recovering, or extend the life of a healthy one. Read Texas A&M AgriLife Extensions tips for caring for stressed trees and shrubs.

Mulching

• Apply it 3-4 inches deep. More is not better.
• Hardwood mulch is recommended.
  • apply mulch to the drip line or just beyond.
  • do not place mulch against the trunk.

Watering

• target the tiny feeder roots at the drip line.
• SLOW, DEEP SOAKING at the drip line is the best method. Use a soaker hose, or move the end of a water hose. It could take several hours, but the deeper the moisture goes, the less often you need to water.
• water trees until soil moisture is approximately 12 to18 inches deep. Use a screwdriver or rod to see how deep it will penetrate. This indicates the depth of adequate soil moisture.
• over-watering is as harmful as underwatering.
• newly planted /young trees need to be checked weekly, especially if there is limited or no rainfall. **check moisture inside the root ball, not just in the surrounding soil.
• mature trees don’t usually need watering, except possibly during extended drought.
• irrigation bags often don’t provide enough moisture to reach beyond the drip line

Fertilization— Not recommended

• fertilizing increases stress on trees, as this signals the plant to grow at a time when heat and wind can be a problem and providing adequate water is difficult

Borer Treatment

• treatment is not recommended as borers typically attack only unhealthy trees.
• if you treat, imidacloprid (active ingredient) is recommended each year about February.

Pruning

• cut at the correct location of the branch for proper healing
• make 3 cuts on a large branch to prevent damage to the trunk
• pruning can be done any time of year except for oaks. Don’t prune them in February until June if there is a risk of oak wilt disease. Pruning paint is rarely needed, except for oak trees. https://agrilife.org/treecarekit/planting-tree-maintenance/how-to-prune-a-tree

Going Above and beyond

• vertical mulching can improve aeration. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PALLQQVTRKg
• if you feel your tree may warrant injection treatments you need to find a certified arborist. You can find one at www.treesaregood.org

Click here for information on Heat Stroke In Trees

Click here for Water Recommendations.

Source: Courtney Blevins
Texas A&M Forest Service Ft. Worth, Texas

David Graf
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Wichita County http://wichita.agrilife.org [email protected]