Early Signs Your Trees Might Not Survive the Summer and What You Can Do Now

Arizona summers can be brutal—not just for us, but for our trees too. The extreme heat, dry air, and unpredictable monsoon season can push even the healthiest trees to their limit. Unfortunately, by the time many people notice something’s wrong, it’s already too late. The good news? Trees do give us early warning signs when they’re stressed—you just have to know what to look for.

When summer hits Arizona, the heat doesn’t just scorch the pavement—it puts your trees to the test. Triple-digit temps, dry winds, and reflected heat from rock landscaping or nearby walls can silently push your trees into survival mode. And here’s the kicker: once visible damage sets in, it might be too late to reverse. Whether you have native desert trees or non-native varieties, all are vulnerable to summer stress. The good news? There are clear signs your tree is in trouble if you know what to look for. Let us break down how to spot early signs of heat stress and what steps you can take right now to protect your landscape—and your investment—before it’s too late.

Early Signs Your Tree is in Trouble

If your tree could talk, it would probably be begging for shade and a cold drink right now. Since it can’t, here are the red flags to watch for:

Leaf Scorching: Edges turning brown or crispy? That’s a classic sign of dehydration and sunburn.
Wilting or Curling Leaves: Even if you’re watering regularly, this signals your tree may not be absorbing moisture properly.
Premature Leaf Drop: If leaves are falling in June or July, your tree is tapping out early.
Cracks or Splits in the Bark: These can result from heat stress and inconsistent watering routines.
Sparse or Thinning Canopy: Dead or bare branches at the top (called “dieback”) often mean root problems.
Sticky Residue or Sawdust at the Base: This could indicate pests like borers, which thrive in stressed trees.
Preserve Fruit Production: If your trees are dropping unripe fruit, they’re likely trying to conserve energy and resources.

Why Arizona Trees Struggle in the Summer

Arizona’s climate isn’t just hot—it’s extreme. Combine that with common landscape challenges like:

Rock mulch or heat-reflective surfaces
Poor soil drainage
Overwatering or underwatering
Sudden monsoon downpours … and it’s easy to see why even mature trees can start to suffer.

Native trees like Palo Verde or Mesquite are more heat-adapted, but even they can get stressed under prolonged heatwaves or drought.

Your Trees Are an Investment—We’ll Help You Protect Them

WHY CATCHING TREE STRESS EARLY MATTERS

Protects Fruit Production: Stress can cause trees to drop fruit prematurely or produce smaller, lower-quality harvests.
Early Stress Attracts Pests – Weak trees are magnets for borers, beetles, and fungal infections.
Some Damage is Irreversible – Once a tree has too much canopy dieback or trunk cracking, even great care may not bring it back.
Healthy Trees Add Value to Your Property – Damaged or dying trees don’t just look bad—they hurt curb appeal and property value.
It’s Cheaper Than Tree Removal – Addressing stress early may only require watering adjustments or minor treatment. Waiting could mean costly removal.

How to Help Your Tree Survive—Starting Today

Good news: You don’t have to wait until your tree’s on life support Summer in Arizona is tough—but your trees don’t have to go it alone. With a little proactive care before summer hits and the right support, you can help your landscape stay lush and vibrant year-round.

Need help assessing your trees? Contact PROS Tree and Landscape today for a free consultation and expert advice tailored to your property.

Need Help Spotting the Signs?

Additional Services We Offer:

📍 We service the following areas: Phoenix AZ · Scottsdale AZ · Chandler AZ · Paradise Valley, AZ · Cavecreek, AZ · Carefree, AZ · Fountain Hills, AZ Gilbert, AZ · Glendale, AZ · Goodyear, AZ · Litcheld Park, AZ · Mesa, AZ · Surprise, AZ · Tempe, AZ · Tolleson, AZ · Waddell, AZ

Location

Call Us