Heat, drought take toll on C. Oregon trees

All that heat is taking a toll on the trees in Central Oregon.

Leaves are even suffering from a symptom from drought and heat called leaf scorch. When that happens, the leaves turn a bit brown on the outside branches. And it’s from the last few few weeks of extremely hot weather.

Fortunately, leaf scorch doesn’t mean the tree is dead. But those leaves will likely remain brown until they fall to the ground in the fall. Arborists say that doesn’t mean the tree is dead or dying, and it doesn’t necessarily need to be removed.

Chris Madison, a certified arborist at Madison Tree Consulting, said Thursday relentless heat can cause the tree to struggle.

“When temperatures get as hot as they are, and we’ve had a drought as long as we have, trees get stressed out and are much more susceptible to pests and disease,” Madison said.

“Unlike animals, trees don’t just die suddenly, they go into a long spiral of decline,” he said. “So it takes multiple events of stress to really put a tree into poor health.”

In stretches of hot and dry weather, people often remember to water to their yard and garden but neglect their trees.

But even though trees seem durable, it’s important they get extra water. — especially trees that aren’t native to Central Oregon.

Experts suggest that when you do water, you do so in small amounts and frequently.

Years of compromised health and intense heat can eventually lead to a tree’s death, which is why watering is important.

“For many landscapes, the trees really are the focal point of your landscapes,” Madison said. “Annuals and perennials might die back, but it’s very hard to replace a fully mature tree. So watering fully mature trees is really important, to keep your landscape healthy and aesthetically pleasing.”

It’s important to note that just because a tree looks like it’s struggling, that doesn’t mean it needs to come down. So make sure to consult an expert before taking down any large tree.

Also, its good to do research trees before you plant them, as some prefer more shade than others.