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.
Zelkova is a deciduous tree grown for its handsome spreading shape and autumn color. Zelkova belongs to the same botanical family as the elm tree and is used as a substitute for the disease-plagued American elm. Zelkova is a good shade tree; it grows at a moderate to fast rate and eventually reaches 60 feet…
Phellodendron–commonly called cork tree–is a deciduous tree grown its deeply furrowed, attractive bark and aromatic foliage. Yellow-green leaves turn yellow in autumn. Use Phellodendron as a specimen tree in a large garden. Phellodendrom grows to 30 feet (10m) tall and 40 feet (12m) wide. The corky bark is pale gray-brown when mature. Small cup-shape green…
Trees with colorful autumn foliage are at their best from mid-to-late autumn. Make the most of trees with colorful autumn foliage by planting them where they can be seen from windows in your house or along well-traveled paths or drives. Autumn leaves will be especially brilliant after a hot summer, but after a mild summer,…
Sciadopitys, commonly known as the Japanese umbrella pine, is a unique and ancient conifer species that has survived since the Mesozoic era. Its scientific name, Sciadopitys verticillata, refers to its distinctive “whorled” needles that resemble the spokes of an umbrella, giving the tree an unmistakable aesthetic. Native to Japan, Sciadopitys is beloved for its striking,…
Chamaedorea–often called parlor palm–is a slender feathery palm with canelike stems. It has graceful, arching green fronds. Indoors Chamaedorea grows to about 3 feet (1m) tall with fronds about 18 inches (45cm) long. The fronds tend to grow upward rather than out. Chamaedorea is best grown in bright filtered or indirect light indoors. Outdoors it…
Cupressus–commonly called Cypress–are evergreen, coniferous trees that grow tall. They are often grown as specimen trees and also as screens and hedges. Cupressus grow 30 to 100 feet (10-30m) tall depending on the variety. Some grow narrow and columnar, others grow broad and flat-topped. All tolerate a range of soils from heavy to light, alkaline to…
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