Avoid Soil compaction
Soil compaction over a tree's roots, due to equipment operation, material storage, or paving, can prevent moisture from reaching roots.
To improve the soil and its water retention, incorporate organic matter into the top 6 to 9 inches (15 to 23 cm) of soil of an entire planting site at a rate of 3 cubic yards (2.3 cubic meters) of compost or pine bark per 1,000 square feet (93 square meters).
In sandy soils increase the rate to 5 cubic yards (4 cubic meters) per 1,000 square feet (93 square meters).
Note: Do not incorporate sand into clayey or compacted soil -- compaction will increase and drainage decrease.
Drying winds
Drying winds can seriously increase the effects of drought, and in fact, wind can damage trees suffering from lack of moisture at any season.
In coastal regions, winds carry both salt and sand, causing abrasions to leaves and stems as well as drying. In exposed coastal gardens, trees tolerant of both wind and salt spray include:
Soil compaction over a tree's roots, due to equipment operation, material storage, or paving, can prevent moisture from reaching roots.
To improve the soil and its water retention, incorporate organic matter into the top 6 to 9 inches (15 to 23 cm) of soil of an entire planting site at a rate of 3 cubic yards (2.3 cubic meters) of compost or pine bark per 1,000 square feet (93 square meters).
In sandy soils increase the rate to 5 cubic yards (4 cubic meters) per 1,000 square feet (93 square meters).
Note: Do not incorporate sand into clayey or compacted soil -- compaction will increase and drainage decrease.
Drying winds
Drying winds can seriously increase the effects of drought, and in fact, wind can damage trees suffering from lack of moisture at any season.
In coastal regions, winds carry both salt and sand, causing abrasions to leaves and stems as well as drying. In exposed coastal gardens, trees tolerant of both wind and salt spray include:
- Russian olive
- White poplar
- Eastern redcedar
- Loblolly
- Japanese black pines