Caring for Your Trees in Summer: Watering, Responding to Hosepipe Bans & Heat Stress
Summer brings warmth, longer days, and continued growth, but it can also put extra strain on newly planted trees. Hot spells and dry soil mean your pleached trees may need a little more attention to stay healthy and settled. And nothing says a hot summer more than the Great British Hosepipe Ban. So, with reservoirs low, temperatures high, and lawns turning beige, here are the key jobs to help your trees through summer.
Water thoroughly during dry spells
Check soil moisture regularly, particularly during the first two years after planting. Some trees will need watering for longer. Check beneath the surface and around the original rootball, rather than relying on how the soil looks on top.
When the soil around the roots begins to dry, water slowly and thoroughly so that moisture reaches the full depth of the rootball. Water directly onto the soil, ideally in the early morning, and allow it to soak in rather than run off. Check more often during hot or windy weather and adjust your watering to suit the conditions. Aim for moist but free-draining soil, never waterlogged.
Check local watering restrictions
If a hosepipe ban is introduced, check your water supplier’s current rules before using a hose or irrigation system. Some suppliers allow exemptions for newly planted trees or certain drip irrigation systems, but the conditions vary. Do not assume that your trees or equipment are automatically exempt.
Use a watering can where hosepipe use is restricted, following your supplier’s guidance. Prioritise trees that are still establishing and apply water carefully to the rooting area to make the most of each can.
Collect and reuse water carefully
Use collected rainwater when available to reduce your reliance on mains water. Keep water butts covered with a close-fitting lid, clear debris from gutters and clean the butts regularly. Apply the water directly to the soil with a watering can.
During shortages, water from baths, showers or washing up can provide a temporary supply for ornamental trees. Use it promptly and avoid water containing bleach, disinfectants, dishwasher salt or harsh cleaning products. Alternate with rainwater or mains water when available to limit the build-up of salts in the soil.
View the RHS guide to collecting and reusing water
Check trees for signs of stress
Keep an eye out for wilting, browning leaf edges or early leaf drop during hot weather. These can be signs that a tree is struggling, but they do not always mean it needs more water. Check the soil around the roots first, as waterlogged conditions can also affect a tree’s ability to take up water.
If the rootball is dry, water thoroughly and keep checking moisture levels as the weather changes. Avoid adding fertiliser to try to revive a drought-stressed tree. If the tree continues to decline despite suitable soil moisture, seek advice from a garden professional.
Check and loosen training ties
Summer growth can quickly thicken branches and stems, so check ties regularly for rubbing or tightness, including those along the central bamboo cane. Carefully remove any that are digging into the bark or trapping new growth. Leave the ties holding the bamboo frame together in place unless they need replacing.
Where branches still need support, use soft, flexible ties with room for growth. Check the stakes and trunk ties too, particularly after strong winds, keeping the roots stable while allowing the trunk a little movement.
Train new growth and prune at the right time
Guide flexible new shoots along the pleach frame and secure them loosely where they will help fill gaps. Work gently and avoid forcing stiff branches into position. Regular attention while shoots are young makes it easier to develop an even screen.
Summer is a suitable pruning time for some pleached trees, but check the advice for your species before cutting back. Avoid pruning during very hot, dry weather or while a tree is drought-stressed. Before working among the branches, check for nesting birds and leave occupied nests and the surrounding growth undisturbed.
Feed if needed
Trees growing well in healthy garden soil do not usually need routine feeding. If growth has been poor, check watering, drainage and competition from weeds before reaching for fertiliser. Where additional nutrients are needed, summer is a suitable time to apply a fertiliser intended for trees and shrubs. Follow the product instructions for the amount and timing, and avoid overfeeding.
Check leaves and shoots for pests
Look over the leaves and young shoots, including the undersides of foliage, as part of your regular watering checks. Sticky deposits, curled leaves or chewed growth can indicate pests, but minor damage rarely needs treatment. Identify the cause before taking action and allow birds and beneficial insects to help keep pest numbers in check.
Weed and maintain the mulch
Keep the area around your trees clear of weeds and grass, which compete for moisture during dry weather. Check the mulch and top it up where it has thinned, using well-rotted garden compost or composted bark. If the soil is dry, water thoroughly before adding more mulch.
Maintain a total mulch depth of around 5–7.5cm, allowing for material already in place, and leave a clear gap around the trunk. Mulch helps reduce evaporation, suppress weeds and protect the soil from summer heat.
Care for your trees throughout the year
A little care each season will help your pleached trees settle in, grow well and keep their shape. Our full care guide brings together practical advice to help you look after them throughout the year.
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