Thousands of newly planted trees will not have made it through this summer, according to BBC Gardeners' World presenter Jamie Butterworth, who has debunked the common belief that trees always survive hot, dry spells thanks to their deep roots.
Writing in The Times, the plant expert explained that all trees, especially young ones that have not yet established a deep root system, can suffer greatly during a heatwave. "The biggest killer of new trees is lack of water," he wrote, "and the reality is thousands of newly planted trees will not have made it through this summer."
Birch and beech among the worst affected
Butterworth said he had seen a great many birch trees dying as a result of this summer's unprecedented hot, dry conditions. "Some of the most iconic native British trees birch, silver birch and beech are really struggling," he noted.
To future proof a garden against the hotter summers expected later in this decade, he recommended a number of drought-tolerant options including honey locust, maidenhair, Persian ironwood, giant redbud, silk tree, strawberry tree and osmanthus. Even so, he added, if they are grown in a container they definitely need water, leaving gardeners at the mercy of hosepipe bans.
Exotic trees can thrive in UK gardens
Butterworth also sought to dispel the myth that exotic trees do not grow well in UK gardens. "You can grow Szechuan peppers or peach trees very happily in the UK," he said, adding that they will even do well in a container. "Especially in this hot weather they will be absolutely loving it."
Advising gardeners to be bold and try growing a fruit tree, he added: "There's nothing better than the taste of a fresh peach picked from your own garden, or apricot, or whatever it is. Just train them up a sheltered sunny wall."
How to help trees survive and prevent flooding
To help trees survive the hot weather, gardeners are advised to water them deeply once or twice a week rather than giving them frequent light splashes. Applying a thick layer of organic mulch can keep the roots cool, and extra care is needed with young trees that have not yet built deep root systems.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) advises that there is likely to be a greater risk of trees spontaneously dropping limbs as they find it harder to get enough water. The society warns that gardeners are liable in law for damage arising from trees and should ensure their insurance covers damage caused by falling limbs.
Alongside hotter, drier summers, much rainier winters are also expected. The Woodland Trust advises that trees can play a vital role in flood prevention: a canopy of leaves will lessen the impact of rain on the ground and allow a significant amount of rainfall to evaporate back into the atmosphere directly from the forest canopy without ever reaching the ground. Tree root systems can also help water penetrate deeper into the soil at a faster rate under and around trees, meaning less surface run-off and more water storage in the soil.
