The damage from drought is far-reaching across the country and is immediately recognizable in garden plants and flowers. However, perhaps less obvious is the effect drought has on trees and shrubs. These heartier forms of vegetation do not always immediately show the damaging effects of prolonged periods without water. Moreover, aside from the immediate effects of drought, trees and shrubs can experience long-lasting effects which can greatly compromise the integrity of the vegetation later in its lifetime. The importance of water on the overall life and survivability of a tree or shrub is paramount when considering water’s influence on vegetation. During the growing season and the rest of the year, the amount and frequency of rainfall are more important than the total volume of rain over a given period of time.
The Relationship Between Water and Trees/Shrubs
It’s quite obvious; without water, there is no plant life. Water plays a significant role in the physical processes of tree/plant growth. From its contribution to photosynthesis to other chemical reactions that take place at a cellular level, water allows the cells to expand and grow- a fundamental process that allows woody plants to grow and thrive. Additionally, it is through the presence of water that minerals can be dissolved and then carried by the complex root system to nurture the tree and aid in its health and growth. The continuum of this process of receiving and delivering nutrients to the tree through the presence of water becomes disrupted during times of drought, which will then lead to the wilting of leaves and diminished overall health of the tree.
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Drought Effect on Trees/Shrubs
Not surprisingly, drought conditions can negatively affect the physiological well-being of plants, trees, and shrubs. The disruption to soil conditions due to lack of water causes a contraction of the soil from the roots. As further moisture is lost, the tree will draw upon water sources within the roots themselves, which can cause cell damage, and may eventually lead to the death of the cell. It is the root hair system of a tree or shrub that draws the most moisture for the plant. Operating within the first fifteen inches or so of the soil environment, they are the first part of the root system to be affected by drought-like conditions. With the death of these root hairs, the water-absorbing capacity of the tree/shrub is greatly compromised. The effect of this on young or newly planted trees is particularly severe.
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Symptoms and Outcomes
It is clear the lack of water has a sizeable effect on trees and shrubs. The effects of drought can be both short-term and long-term. Immediate visible effects include wilting, scorch, and defoliation. Long-term effects include the dieback of branches, susceptibility to disease or insect invasion, or the death of the tree/shrub due to the inability to absorb water due to damage and death of roots or cells.
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