As temperatures soar, trees—especially younger or recently planted ones—can suffer from heat stress, just like people. If your trees are looking wilted, scorched, or dropping leaves early, they could be signaling distress.

What homeowners can do:

• Deep Watering: Give trees a slow, deep soak at the root zone once or twice a week rather than frequent shallow watering. Early morning is best.

• Mulch Smartly: Apply 2–4 inches of mulch around the base (but not touching the trunk) to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

• Skip the Pruning: Avoid heavy pruning in summer, which can make trees more vulnerable to sun damage.

Taking a little time now can prevent major damage later—and keep your trees looking lush all summer long.