Landscape trees also suffer drought consequences

Low rainfall in the state of California is stressing landscape trees in urban areas, reported the San Jose Mercury-News.

Igor Lacan, UCCE advisor in Santa Clara, Contra Costa and Alameda counties, says it's difficult to make blanket statements about which species are in trouble, since a tree's water- and heat-related health depends on its location.

Some species on a south-facing slope might show drought stress, while the same species on a north-facing slope doesn't. Stress symptoms also show up on trees planted near paved surfaces, though not near other surfaces that don't reflect heat, Lacan said. Since many tree species are fairly resilient, damage comes on slowly and may take months or years to become apparent.

But Lacan was able to conclude with a positive comment.

"The good thing is that in all likelihood mature, established trees, if climatically appropriate (for their location), will make it through ... just fine," Lacan said.

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