Just like the heat can affect people, it can affect trees as well. Heat stress in trees is a real thing. According to Independent Tree, “A tree experiences heat stress when there is too little rain, and the tree cannot produce the sugars it needs for growth. When a tree lacks water, it may appear wilted in an attempt to conserve water.” This can be scary for tree owners. But one way to help combat heat stress is by choosing a type of tree that is heat-tolerant, especially if you live in an area that has hot summers. To assist in your choice, here are five of the best trees for heat.
- Crape Myrtle
Known as ornamental trees, the diversity of the crape myrtle tree makes it a common one. Due to its need to be in areas of full sunlight, it also makes it a great choice for hot locations. These trees need at least six hours of direct sunlight every day to grow at their healthiest. Regardless of the size of your yard, there’s a crape myrtle for you. There are dwarf varieties that grow just 2 to 3 feet tall or full-sized varieties that can reach heights of 25 feet. They are adaptable trees, as they can thrive in most types of soil. The soil must be well-drained, though.
Another perk of crape myrtle trees is their color. The flowers that grow on these trees vary in color, meaning you can choose which color you want blooming in your yard. The colors can range from different hues of lavender to light and hot pinks and from deep or watermelon red to white. These colors will last all summer and even into the fall.
- Juniper
Juniper trees are known for their versatility. They can thrive in areas of full to partial sunlight as long as there is good soil drainage. However, they do need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Juniper trees don’t grow well in shade. Too much shade will result in a loss of denseness. This is because these trees need sunlight and heat so much that they will spread out in areas of shade, trying to find that sliver of sunlight.
There are more than 10 different varieties of juniper trees, but the most common type is the ‘Blue Point’. At maturity, this variety reaches 8 to 12 feet in height. The color of this tree is silver-blue, and it keeps this color all year long.
- Cedar
You may automatically associate cedar trees with being snow-covered in the winter, but they thrive in the heat too. These trees should be planted in areas of partial shade to suns, such as an area that gets sun in the morning and a few hours of the hot afternoon sun. They should also be planted in soil that’s slightly alkaline and is very well-drained.
Cedar trees typically grow in the shape of a pyramid, and they keep their leaves year-round. One of the most common species of cedar trees, the Atlas cedar, has a variety known as the blue Atlas cedar, which has both green and blue-green needles, making it a popular choice. These are slow-growing trees but can reach heights of up to 60 feet.
- Eucalyptus
The scent of eucalyptus has become quite popular over the past few years, but did you know that these trees are heat tolerant as well? They need to be planted in an area that gets at least 8 to 10 hours of full sun every day in well-drained soil. There are over 700 species of eucalyptus, and some of these trees can reach heights as large as 300 feet. The most common variety is called blue gum, and it gets this name due to its blue-green foliage. There are many shrub versions of eucalyptus as well, which only reach heights of around 30 feet.
Eucalyptus trees grow fast and continue to grow fast even in heat and drought, climbing up to six feet per year.
- Hackberry
Cousin to the well-known elm tree, hackberry trees need little attention, as they can grow well just about anywhere, hotter climates included. Its ideal growing conditions are areas of full sun with at least six hours of direct sunlight and in soil that is well-drained. Hackberry trees have good tolerance both for drought conditions and for flooding. At maturity, they can reach heights of 40 to 60 feet. These trees grow in a rounded, vase-like shape.
If you are looking for a heat-tolerant tree that will attract wildlife to your yard, a hackberry tree may be the best choice for you. The fruit that grows on these trees is popular with many birds, such as robins and mockingbirds.
Know Your Yard
As you can see, if you’re looking for some of the best trees for heat, there are a few for you to consider. You no longer need to worry about the hot and dry summers negatively affecting your trees if you choose any of the five above-mentioned trees. You won’t see any wilting or drooping in the summer months.
However, before choosing any of these trees, you need to assess the growing conditions of your yard. Take a look at which areas receive the most direct sunlight and figure out what type of soil you have in your yard. Once you know these things, you can make a more informed decision about which heat-tolerant tree will work best for you.
If you’re still unsure, it’s a good idea to reach out to a professional arborist for their opinion. At Mr. Tree, we can help you figure out which tree will grow best in your yard. Just give us a call today and tell us more about your yard and what type of tree you are looking for.