Ever notice how fast things dry out around here once July hits? If you live anywhere from the Southridge area down toward the Columbia River, you already know our Kennewick summers are brutal on trees. Between the scorching heat and that dry desert wind, keeping your yard healthy takes more than just turning on the sprinklers once a week. Tri Cities Tree Service has spent years working on local properties, and our team sees the same seasonal mistakes over and over again.
Our climate demands specific care from local property owners. We do not get a ton of rainfall, and our soil tends to be sandy and alkaline. That means roots have to work overtime to find moisture, and weak trees drop limbs fast when the winds kick up off the Rattlesnake Hills. You cannot just plant something and forget about it.
Spring Wake-Up Calls
As soon as the freeze lets up, your trees start waking up thirsty. Spring is the time to check for winter damage. Did heavy snow or ice split a branch? Look closely at the crotches where limbs meet the main trunk. Pruning out dead wood right now stops disease from spreading before the intense heat arrives. Tri Cities Tree Service gets tons of calls in April from residents noticing brown needles on their evergreens or strange growths on fruit trees. Catching these things early saves you time and trouble later.
Here is what you should check every spring:
- Inspect bark for cracks or pest holes.
- Clear out old mulch that might be rotting against the trunk.
- Give young trees a deep, slow soak to encourage downward root growth.
Surviving the Kennewick Summer
July and August are survival mode for your landscape. When temperatures stay above 90 degrees for weeks straight, trees get stressed. Stressed trees attract beetles and other pests that love dry wood. Make sure you are watering deeply rather than giving them a quick splash every day. Deep watering gets moisture down past the top layer of baked earth.
If you have older shade trees near your house, keep an eye on heavy limbs drooping over your roof or driveway. If a branch looks dead during the peak of summer, it will not miraculously green up next year. Getting it dealt with before the autumn winds start howling is important for your property.
Fall Prep and Winter Winds
Fall is a great time to work outside in the Tri-Cities. The air cools down, and trees start going dormant. This is the absolute best window for major pruning and planting new stock. The soil retains enough warmth for roots to get established before the ground freezes solid in December.
Winter brings our famous windstorms. If you have a sickly tree leaning toward your fence or power lines, do not wait for a January gale to make the decision for you. Prevention is much cheaper than emergency roof repairs at midnight.
Taking care of your yard takes consistency. Keep an eye on your trees through every shift in the weather, and do not hesitate to reach out if something looks off. A little proactive maintenance goes a long way out here in the desert, and Tri Cities Tree Service provides Tree Service work for homes and businesses in Kennewick.