By late summer, your landscaping has been exposed to months of hot temperatures, along with a few monsoon storms. As a result, you may see some signs of stress in your trees that you should tend to with the help of a landscaping company with certified arborists on staff. Damaged or diseased trees can be a significant hazard on your property, so you should not neglect essential landscape maintenance tasks like pruning and mulching to keep your trees healthy. Take a look at the following signs of tree stress and some tips from Complete Landscaping to keep your trees in good condition as summer winds down. 

Over- or Underwatering 

Tucson summers are characterized by extreme weather. Along with very hot temperatures, Tucson sees numerous monsoons throughout the summer that can bring sudden, heavy downpours. Extreme heat may leave your trees lacking sufficient water, while monsoons might actually result in overwatering because trees may receive too much water all at once. Trees with moisture imbalances will have yellow, wilted leaves, and they can eventually die if the issue is not corrected with the help of your local landscaping company. 

Insect Infestations

Insects may flock to your trees, laying their eggs, eating tree leaves, and damaging the tree bark. Along with visible damage to tree leaves and limbs, you might spot the insects themselves. Palo Verde beetles, aphids, termites, and various borers are all common pests for Tucson trees. While a pest infestation may not kill a healthy tree on its own, it can weaken the tree and make it more vulnerable to tree disease and weather damage. 

Wind Damage 

Another common source of tree damage in the summer is wind. Monsoons can bring winds of up to 100 MPH, which can rip down tree limbs and even uproot established trees. If you have trees that have been damaged by wind, you should not wait to schedule landscape maintenance. 

Tips for Keeping Your Trees Healthy 

There are several ways to ensure that your trees stay healthy at the end of summer and all year long. Pruning damaged or weak branches will help preserve the health of the rest of the tree and reduce the risk of weather-related tree injuries. You might also invest in pest control for your outdoor space and ensure that your trees are properly mulched to reduce the likelihood of fungal infections and maintain ideal moisture levels. Just make sure that you avoid piling mulch against the base of the tree, as this can actually damage the tree trunk. Instead, create a thicker layer of mulch around the tree’s drip line and taper it inward towards the base of the tree. 

If you need tree care to keep your landscape looking great at the end of summer, contact Complete Landscaping to schedule a visit from one of our certified arborists. We offer comprehensive tree care in Tucson with all the tools and equipment needed to maintain even large, established trees on your property. Call us at (520) 323-8918 today.