The Long-Term Effects of Drought on Trees

Elvin Carico

By Elvin Carico

Last Updated on February, 2025

When drought hits, it’s not just the short-term effects like wilting leaves or a scorched lawn that you need to worry about—trees take a significant hit too, and the long-term consequences can be devastating.

Quick Summary

  • Drought causes both visible damage, like browning leaves and thinning canopies, and unseen internal damage, such as cell membrane shrinkage and root loss, leading to long-term decline in tree health.
  • While native plants are more adapted to local drought conditions, even they can suffer and potentially succumb during prolonged or severe droughts.
  • Deep supplemental watering, selecting drought-tolerant species, mulching, and proper cultural practices like pruning and fertilizing are essential to minimize the long-term effects of drought on trees.

The Long-Term Effects That Drought Has on Trees

image of a growth of tree in drought

Let’s see how drought affects trees in the long term.

The Visible Damage: What You See First

You might first notice leaves on your deciduous trees turning brown at the edges, or maybe your evergreens start browning at the tips. These are the immediate visible effects of drought stress on certain trees.

Deciduous trees often show marginal scorch and interveinal necrosis, while evergreens reveal their stress with browning needles. Over time, this visible damage extends beyond the leaves.

You may see a thinning canopy, stunted growth, and in severe cases, branch dieback, or even the death of the tree itself. This isn’t just about looks—it’s about the tree’s ability to survive.

The Unseen Struggle: What’s Happening Inside

What’s happening beneath the surface is just as concerning. Drought-stressed plants struggle with plant health, as they lose water faster than they can absorb it due to the water deficit

As the drought persists, this stress leads to irreversible damage to plant cells, like the shrinkage of cell membranes and increased production of abscisic acid, a plant hormone that regulates growth and other physiological processes.

As this internal stress continues, trees experience dieback of branches and, ultimately, a decline in overall tree health. The tree’s trunk might develop cracks, and the fine feeder roots, critical for absorbing water, can suffer significant loss.

Drought on Landscape Tree

Native Plants: Built to Last, But Not Invincible

It’s worth noting that plants native to forested areas usually fare better during periods when water availability is low. They’ve adapted to the local weather patterns and the usual fluctuations in precipitation. 

However, even these resilient species can be pushed to the brink when faced with unusually severe or prolonged drought conditions. So, while plants native to drought-ridden areas have an edge, they’re not completely immune to the effects of drought stress.

Long-term Effects: The Slow Decline

long term effect because of draught

Long-term droughts affect trees in a subtle, but deadly manner. Over time, drought-stressed trees may exhibit a slow dieback of branches as the root system, compromised by the lack of water, can no longer support the tree’s full canopy.

This dieback can be exacerbated by secondary issues like insect attacks—wood boring insects like bark beetles, for instance, love a stressed tree—and diseases like Armillaria root rot, which can take hold when the tree’s defenses are down.

The USDA Forest Service warns that the long-term health of many tree species is at risk when dry conditions persist.

Established trees, even those considered to be tolerant to such conditions, can eventually succumb if their water demands aren’t met over consecutive growing seasons, and they are subject to other issues like insect outbreaks.

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Minimizing the Impact: What You Can Do

So, what can you do to minimize the long-term effects of a drought-stressed tree?

The first and most crucial step is deep supplemental watering. Forget about a quick sprinkle—large trees need a deep soaking to ensure the water reaches their deeper roots, and root hairs are able to absorb water.

Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems to deliver water slowly and effectively throughout the growing season, to help with plant growth.

Selecting the right plant and the site with the right soil type is also crucial. When planting new trees, go for more drought tolerant species and plant them in locations where soil moisture is naturally higher.

Try to avoid sandy soils, as trees planted in such areas will suffer from water stress during dry spells due to low water retention.

Mulching is another effective strategy. A thick layer of organic mulch like wood chips and other organic matter helps retain soil moisture, and keeps the root system cool.

Maintaining plant vigor is about more than just watering; it’s about using sound cultural practices throughout the year.

Pruning to remove dead or diseased branches, fertilizing to promote healthy growth, and monitoring for signs of stress like leaf scorch or bark cracks are all essential steps in keeping your trees healthy during tough times.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait Until it’s Too Late

A small plant growing from the drought soil

Dry periods might seem like a temporary inconvenience, but their effects on plant life can be long-lasting and irreversible if not addressed promptly. Whether you’re dealing with a short-term drought event or the creeping effects of a long-term drought, the key is to act quickly.

Mature trees and woody plants are resilient, but they can’t survive on their own in conditions that are beyond their natural limits, like when severe drought hits. That’s where you come in.

If you’re unsure about the health of your trees or need professional help, don’t hesitate to reach out. At Tree Removal San Antonio, we offer a full range of tree services designed to keep your trees and landscape plants healthy and thriving, even in the toughest conditions. Give us a call—we’re here to help your landscape weather any storm.

FAQs

Drought stresses trees by limiting water supply, which weakens their growth, reduces leaf production, and makes them more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Prolonged drought can lead to branch dieback or even tree death.

Long-term drought can cause stunted growth, reduced flowering and fruiting, and weakened root systems in plants. It also makes plants more susceptible to diseases, pests, and environmental stress. Over time, prolonged drought may lead to plant death and changes in local ecosystems as water-dependent species decline.

When trees don’t get enough water, they become stressed, which leads to wilting, leaf drop, and reduced growth. The lack of water weakens their ability to photosynthesize, making them more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Over time, trees may experience branch dieback, root damage, and, in severe cases, death.

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