Prepping Your Trees for Texas Summer: ATX Trees’ Survival Guide

Texas summers test even the hardiest trees. With triple-digit temperatures and prolonged droughts, your landscape needs special care. At ATX Trees & Land Development, we've helped Central Texas trees survive 25+ brutal summers. Here's our proven playbook to keep your trees healthy from June through September.

1. Water Like a Pro

New Trees (1-3 Years Old)

• Deep Watering: 15-20 gallons 2x/week at drip line

• Best Time: 5-8 AM to reduce evaporation

• Tool Tip: Use our Treegator bags ($29.99) for slow release

Established Trees

• Frequency: Every 10-14 days during drought

• Method: Soak soil to 12" depth (use screwdriver test)

• Warning Signs: Wilting, curled leaves, early leaf drop

2. Mulch Matters

✅ Do:

• Apply 3-4" of hardwood mulch (free with planting service)

• Create 3' diameter circle around trunk

• Keep mulch 6" away from bark

❌ Don't:

• Use rubber mulch (overheats roots)

• Build "mulch volcanoes" (invites pests)

3. Heat-Stress First Aid

To address heat-stress issues in trees, use light-colored tree guards ($12.99) to protect against sunscald, apply anti-transpirant spray to reduce leaf scorch, and aerate the soil while adding organic compost (available at nurseries) to fix soil cracking. These solutions help mitigate heat damage effectively.

4. ATX Trees’ Top 3 Drought Survivors

1. Lacey Oak ($275/$960)

   • Native Texas toughness

   • Blue-green leaves reflect sun

   • Thrives on 1/2 the water of most oaks

2. Desert Willow ($275)

   • Orchid-like blooms in peak heat

   • Loses leaves to conserve water (rebounds after rain)

3. Vitex ($275)

   • Purple flowers attract pollinators

   • Deep taproot finds groundwater

5. Emergency Prep

• Before Heat Wave:

  • Deep water all trees

  • Refresh mulch layer

• During Burn Ban:

  • Use greywater from AC runoff

  • Prioritize young trees

Limited-Time Summer Support

For Trees Planted By ATX Trees:

✔ Free Health Check (June 15-Aug 31)

✔ Discount on Deep-Root Fertilization

For DIYers:

• $50 Irrigation Consult (normally $100)

• 10% OFF all drought-tolerant trees

Visit Our Nurseries for Summer-Ready Trees:

📍 24250 Ranch Road 12, Dripping Springs

📍 2201 W Hwy 290, Dripping Springs

📞 512-749-5149

#ATXTrees #TexasSummer #TreeCare #DroughtTolerant