Utah Summer Tree & Landscape Care: How to Keep Trees and Plants Healthy During Hot, Dry Weather

Utah summers can be beautiful, but they can also be challenging for trees, shrubs, and landscapes. High temperatures, low humidity, drought conditions, and intense sunlight can quickly stress plants if they are not properly cared for.

For homeowners in Springville, Mapleton, Spanish Fork, Salem, Payson, Provo, Orem, and throughout Utah County, proper tree and landscape maintenance during the summer months is essential for protecting your investment and maintaining a healthy, attractive property.

At Peterson Tree Care, we help homeowners create healthy landscapes that can thrive in Utah’s unique climate. Here are some of the most important tree and landscape care tips to help your property survive and flourish during Utah’s hot and dry summer season.

Why Utah Trees and Plants Struggle in Summer

Utah’s semi-arid climate creates unique challenges for landscapes. During summer, plants often face:

• Prolonged drought conditions
• High daytime temperatures
• Low humidity
• Increased water evaporation
• Soil moisture loss
• Heat stress
• Insect and disease pressure

Without proper care, trees and plants can become stressed, making them more vulnerable to pests, disease, and long-term damage.

Deep Watering Helps Trees Develop Strong Roots

One of the most effective ways to support healthy trees in Utah is deep watering.

Many homeowners make the mistake of watering lightly and frequently. However, shallow watering encourages roots to stay near the surface, where they are more susceptible to heat and drought stress.

Instead, trees should be watered deeply and slowly.

Benefits of deep watering include:

• Encourages deeper root growth
• Improves drought resistance
• Promotes healthier trees
• Helps trees withstand summer heat

For established trees, watering deeply approximately once per week is often more beneficial than daily surface watering.

Water Early in the Morning

Timing matters when watering your landscape.

The best time to water trees, shrubs, and lawns is early in the morning before temperatures rise.

Morning watering helps:

• Reduce water evaporation
• Improve soil absorption
• Allow foliage to dry throughout the day
• Reduce the risk of fungal diseases

Watering at night can leave foliage wet for extended periods and may increase disease pressure in some landscapes.

Use Mulch to Retain Soil Moisture

Mulch is one of the most effective tools for conserving water and protecting plant roots during Utah summers.

A 2-4 inch layer of mulch around trees and landscape beds can:

• Retain soil moisture
• Reduce temperature fluctuations
• Suppress weeds
• Improve soil health
• Protect root systems

However, mulch should never be piled directly against tree trunks. “Volcano mulching” can create moisture problems and encourage pests and disease.

Avoid Rock Landscaping Around Trees

While decorative rock is popular in Utah landscapes, excessive rock placed near trees and plants can create problems.

Rock landscaping can:

• Reflect additional heat
• Increase soil temperatures
• Accelerate moisture loss
• Stress plant root systems

Organic mulch is often a better choice around trees and shrubs because it helps regulate soil temperatures and improves moisture retention.

Feed Trees and Plants Properly

Healthy plants are more resilient during periods of drought and heat stress.

Proper nutrition helps support:

• Root development
• Disease resistance
• Growth and recovery
• Overall plant health

Many Utah landscapes benefit from slow-release fertilizers, compost, and organic soil amendments that improve soil structure and nutrient availability.

Prune and Monitor Trees Regularly

Regular tree maintenance is one of the best ways to prevent problems before they become serious.

Professional pruning helps:

• Improve tree structure
• Remove dead or damaged branches
• Reduce storm hazards
• Improve overall tree health

Routine inspections also allow arborists to identify:

• Insect infestations
• Disease issues
• Structural concerns
• Signs of drought stress

Early intervention often saves homeowners significant time and money.

Drip Irrigation vs. Overhead Watering

Water efficiency is becoming increasingly important throughout Utah County.

Drip irrigation systems are often more effective than overhead sprinklers because they:

• Deliver water directly to the root zone
• Reduce evaporation
• Minimize water waste
• Improve plant health

Overhead watering can contribute to disease issues while losing significant amounts of water through evaporation during hot weather.

Consider Water-Wise Landscaping

Many Utah homeowners are replacing high-maintenance lawn areas with drought-tolerant landscaping.

Water-wise landscapes can provide:

• Lower water bills
• Reduced maintenance
• Less mowing and fertilizing
• Improved drought tolerance
• Beautiful year-round appearance

Properly designed water-wise landscapes can reduce water usage significantly while enhancing curb appeal.

Popular water-wise plants for Utah landscapes include:

Trees

• Quaking Aspen
• Rocky Mountain Maple
• Gambel Oak

Shrubs

• Kinnikinnick
• Creeping Mahonia
• Woods’ Rose
• Stonecrop

Perennials

• Columbine
• Coral Bells
• Blanketflower
• Hostas

These plants are often well-adapted to Utah’s climate and can thrive with less water than traditional landscape choices.

Plant Right, Water Right, Thrive Together

Successful landscaping starts with selecting the right plants for the right location.

For best results:

• Choose plants adapted to Utah’s climate
• Group plants with similar water needs
• Use mulch and drip irrigation
• Water deeply and less frequently
• Build healthy soil through organic matter

When these principles are followed, landscapes become healthier, more resilient, and easier to maintain.

Professional Tree Care and Landscape Services in Utah County

At Peterson Tree Care, our certified arborists help homeowners throughout Springville, Mapleton, Spanish Fork, Salem, Payson, Provo, Orem, and surrounding Utah County communities maintain healthy trees and beautiful landscapes.

Our services include:

• Tree pruning
• Tree removal
• Tree health assessments
• Plant health care
• Deep root fertilization
• Drought stress management
• Fire mitigation services
• Arborist consultations

Whether you need help protecting mature trees, improving plant health, or transitioning to a water-wise landscape, our team can help create a plan that keeps your property looking its best year-round.

Schedule a Tree Health Assessment Today

Summer stress can have long-term effects on trees and landscapes if left untreated. Investing in proper tree care today can help protect your property, improve curb appeal, and extend the life of your landscape.

Contact Peterson Tree Care today to schedule a professional tree and landscape evaluation and learn how to keep your trees healthy during Utah’s hot and dry summers.