July 27, 2025
Updated for Jacksonville, FL Homeowners
Florida is no stranger to drought. While many think of the state as humid and rainy, our dry season, especially during winter, can take a serious toll on trees. In fact, prolonged dry periods have led to hundreds of wildfires across Florida, fueled by dry, weakened forests and vegetation.
But it’s not just forests at risk, drought can do long-term damage to the trees in your own backyard. If left unaddressed, these impacts can become irreversible.
At Bushor’s Tree Surgeons, we’ve seen firsthand how quickly a lack of water can hurt even the healthiest trees. Here’s what every Jacksonville homeowner should know about drought stress, signs of tree damage, and how to help your landscape bounce back.
Why Drought Hurts Trees
Just like people, trees need water to survive and thrive. During a drought, the lack of moisture in the soil can cause both immediate and delayed effects, some of which may not show up for months or even years.
When trees don’t get enough water, they begin to weaken. A stressed tree can’t properly transport nutrients, defend itself from pests or diseases, or maintain healthy growth. And if a tree was already struggling, drought conditions can push it over the edge.
Here’s what drought can do to your tree:
- Suppress new growth
- Cause leaves to turn brown or fall early
- Invite pests and disease
- Increase the risk of branch failure
- Lead to long-term dieback or even death
In some cases, trees may enter dormancy as a survival tactic. But if drought conditions persist or return season after season, your tree may never fully recover.
Visible Signs of Drought Stress in Trees
Drought damage doesn’t always show up right away. Sometimes, you won’t see clear symptoms until a year or two after a dry season. That’s why regular monitoring is key.
Watch for these red flags:
- Leaf scorch or browning edges
- Wilting or curling leaves
- Early leaf drop
- Dead twigs or branches (especially at the top)
- Sparse canopy or smaller-than-usual leaves
- Cracked or dry soil around the trunk
Even if the tree appears to “bounce back” in the next rainy season, there could be internal stress affecting its long-term health.
How Long Does It Take a Tree to Recover From Drought?
On average, it can take up to five years for a tree to fully recover from drought stress, sometimes longer. That’s assuming the tree wasn’t too damaged to begin with.
Unfortunately, many trees never fully bounce back. Growth may remain stunted, branches may continue to die back, and the tree becomes increasingly vulnerable to storms, pests, and other threats.
That’s why proactive care matters.
What You Can Do During a Drought
If your area is currently experiencing a drought (or heading into the dry season), here are a few things you can do to help protect your trees:
1. Deep Watering
Give your trees a deep soak once or twice a week (depending on local watering restrictions). Focus on the root zone—not just the base of the trunk. Use a slow trickle from a hose or drip system to help moisture penetrate the soil.
2. Mulching
Add a 2–4 inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree (but not touching the trunk). This helps retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.
3. Remove Weeds and Competing Plants
Weeds steal water and nutrients. Keep the area around your trees weed-free to reduce competition.
4. Boost Soil Health
Drought-stricken trees benefit from enriched soil. If your soil is nutrient-poor, consider applying compost or an appropriate fertilizer (ideally after soil testing).
5. Regular Monitoring
Look for signs of stress early. Catching symptoms before they escalate gives your tree a better chance of survival.
Professional Tree Assessment Can Make the Difference
Don’t let your trees suffer! If a drought has passed and your trees still aren’t looking OK, you’ll want to call a tree professional. Our team will evaluate your potentially-stressed trees and let you know how damaged they are and if they can be nurtured back to health.
We have four certified arborists on our team who know how to care for trees in distress in Florida and the Jacksonville area. At Bushor’s Tree Surgeons, we know and love trees, and we do what it takes to keep your trees from having to be removed. We’ve been in the tree business for more than 50 years. We give our clients the highest quality tree care in the Jacksonville area. If you need a diagnosis of conditions for your trees, Bushor’s Tree Surgeons are at your service.
Call us at (904) 789-8884 or request a free estimate here.
