Drought-tolerant trees can withstand dry conditions once established. No native or commonly used landscape plant is drought-resistant until it becomes established in the site. All plants require a steady supply of moisture when first planted.
Trees can tolerate drought if they are deep-rooted. Deep roots can harvest soil moisture from past rainfalls. Trees planted in the landscape should be deeply watered for the first two or three years before they can become full drought resistant.
Roots follow moisture in the soil; deep watering will result in deep roots. Surface watering–the water you might give a lawn or perennial plants–will be insufficient to sustain mature trees. Avoid shallow-rooted trees and increase drought tolerance by watering trees deeply until they are well established.
Stephen Albert is a horticulturist, master gardener, and certified nurseryman who has taught at the University of California for more than 25 years. He holds graduate degrees from the University of California and the University of Iowa. His books include Vegetable Garden Grower’s Guide, Vegetable Garden Almanac & Planner, Tomato Grower’s Answer Book, and Kitchen Garden Grower’s Guide. His Vegetable Garden Grower’s Masterclass is available online. Harvesttotable.com has more than 10 million visitors each year.
Bauhinia–commonly called orchid tree or Brazilian butterfly tree–are large shrubs and trees commonly grown for their orchid-like flowers. Bauhinia are tender plants grown in Hawaii, central and southern Florida, and mild-winter areas of California and Arizona. Bauhinia is not fussy about soil as long as the soil is well-drained. Bauhinia is a genus of about…
Howea–commonly called Kentia palm or sentry palm–is a dark green, feather-leaved palm with deeply cleft, arching fronds that grow from a single stem. It is often grown as a houseplant; indoors it usually grows to not more than 8 feet (2.4m) tall. Howea is a slow grower and easy to maintain indoors. It has a tolerance…
Pruning involves trimming out unwanted or unhealthy plant growth to benefit the remaining portions of the plant. Pruning is always secondary to the constant good management of plants. Pruning is one of the most important—and misunderstood—gardening skills. Done correctly, it improves plant health, encourages better flowering and fruiting, and keeps plants strong and well-shaped for…
Populus is a genus of trees commonly known as poplars, cottonwoods, and aspens. Members of the Populus genus are fast-growing, touch trees. They grow tall and need room; they are best suited for large properties and rural areas. Populus are cultivated for their rapid growth and use as imposing specimen trees. They have ovate, triangular-ovate,…
Cephalotaxus, commonly known as plum yew, is a slow-growing evergreen shrub or small tree with lush, dark green foliage, making it a fantastic option for shaded areas, woodland gardens, or as an accent in mixed borders. Native to East Asia, this plant is loved for its adaptability to various light conditions, tolerance of dry shade,…
Ornamental flowering pears are grown for their profuse flowers that appear in late winter and early spring. Pyrus are medium to large deciduous trees valued for their upright form. Most grow well in tight urban or street settings although some with closely angled branches can be susceptible to wind damage if not trained or pruned….
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