TYLER, Texas — As we approach the mid-way point of summer, environmental stressors, such as extreme heat and limited precipitation, have led arborists to express concern over local tree health.
Madeline Burton, an arborist for the City of Tyler, said urban environments can amplify what's known as "heat stress" on our trees.
"Due to all of the concrete and development, trees are more likely to respond," Burton said.
This response can cause trees to wilt and turn yellow, signs of turning chlorotic.
Texas A&M District Forester Chris Kirby said this can lead to larger problems down the road.
"Pathogens or insects will attack these trees that have weakened because [the trees] are not able to refill their starches and sugars from photosynthesis," Kirby said. "They need water to do that."
Thursday's storms brought an estimated 1" to 2" of rain to portions of East Texas, according to rainfall reports.
However, experts stress that a lot of that rain may not have penetrated the soil as needed because of runoff.
"We really need a good soaking rain, lasting a few days where it is a light drizzle," Kirby said. "[Thursday's rain] will slow us down but it's definitely will not put an end to it."
According to a press release from the Texas A&M Forest Service, ways you can reduce stress to your tree during drought conditions include: providing supplemental water, avoid fertilizer which can affect nutrient deficiency and wait to prune trees until the winter.