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.
Lindera — commonly called Spicebush–is usually grown for its bright yellow fall foliage. Spicebush bears attractive, but not showy, small, greenish-yellow flowers in clusters in spring. Lindera gets its common name–spicebush–from its strongly aromatic foliage. Lindera is a large shrub or small tree. It is too large for small gardens. It is a good choice for woodland…
Maples come in a wide range of heights. All have spectacular colors in autumn. Choose a maple that is suitable for your regions. Also, be sure to choose a tree that is suitable for the exact location—some are shallow-rooted and could disturb sidewalks or paving. Most grow in full sun, but some small cultivars prefer…
Songbirds are attracted to the garden by plants that provide food–seeds, fruit, and nectar. Fruit-bearing shrubs attract songbirds. Seed and nectar-bearing flowers attract songbirds. Drifts of flowers are attractive to almost all birds because they are home to insects and spiders as well as nectar and seed. Shrubs, hedgerows, and trees are attractive to birds…
Sophora is a genus of hardy evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs. One species, the Pagoda tree, is a popular landscape tree with rich green leaves, a rounded head, and creamy white flowers in late summer and autumn. Flowers on the Pagoda tree and other members of the Sophora genus appear in drooping clusters. Flowers…
Persea–commonly called avocado–is a tropical tree that grows to greater than 60 feet (18m) tall. It also is grown as a foliage plant indoors. Persea is a rapid grower in tropical and subtropical regions. It produces dense shade. Persea is an evergreen that drops leaves throughout the year. Persea terminal shoots can be trimmed or…
Sourwood, Oxydendrum, is a hardy, slow-growing deciduous tree also known as sorrel tree. Sourwood has thick, fissured bark, long slender, pointed leaves with a sour taste. Small white flower bloom on semi-drooping panicles. Sourwood is often planted as a background for the shrubbery border. Its bright, glossy green leaves turn a brilliant scarlet in fall….
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