Days and days of heavy rain or severe storms with sudden, significant rainfall, can leave your garden looking more like a pond than a backyard. While most trees love a good drink after a dry patch, too much water all at once can cause serious problems like waterlogged trees, especially if the soil stays too wet for too long.

If you’re concerned that you have a waterlogged tree, don’t panic! With the right attention and care, many trees can recover beautifully.

Let’s take a closer look at what to do if you suspect you have a waterlogged tree.

What Is Waterlogging?

Waterlogging in trees refers to a problem where the tree’s roots can’t breathe due to excess water in the soil, essentially starving the roots of oxygen. This usually occurs when the soil is so wet that there isn’t enough oxygen for the root to adequately respire. Gases such as carbon dioxide and ethylene can accumulate in the root zone which is detrimental to the tree. Waterlogging can lead to toxic soil conditions and nutrient deficiencies which can cause a tree to become sick, weak, susceptible to pests and disease and can potentially be fatal.

The Signs Of A Waterlogged Tree

Your tree will show signs of waterlogging. Some of these signs may include:

• Constantly wet, saturated soil around the base of the tree
• The bark of the tree is soft and easily broken
• A sour smell around the base of the tree
• Wilting or discolouration of leaves
• Brittle leaves
• Leaf drop
• Withering of new growth
• Drooping branches

What To Do If You Think You Have Waterlogged Trees

If you suspect you have waterlogged trees, here’s what to do:

• Don’t delay – act quickly to give your tree the best chance of recovery.
• Help the water drain away by creating small trenches to guide excess water away from the base of the tree.
• Gently aerate the soil avoiding the tree trunk.
• Don’t be tempted to fertilise as this can worsen conditions if you apply the wrong mix. Wait until the ground has dried out and the tree has recovered.
• Remove dead, broken or mushy branches but do not over-prune.
• Call an Arborist for their expert opinion and advice on treatment options.

How To Help Prevent Future Waterlogging

Here’s how you can help prevent waterlogging in the future:

• Improve soil drainage
• If possible, consider raising soil levels if your tree is in a low-lying position
• Apply mulch around the base of the tree with a 10 -15 centimetre gap
• Don’t compact the ground surrounding your trees
• Ensure gutters aren’t directing water to your trees
• Check for broken or leaking pipes
• Don’t overwater
• Ask an Arborist for their advice on your specific site and tree’s needs

Hire An Arborist

Give your waterlogged tree the very best chance of recovering and hire your local, trusted Arborist to do a full inspection and provide a treatment plan. They will be able to quickly identify issues and advise the best course of action to keep your tree thriving long into the future, which could save you thousands in the long run.

For all your professional tree pruning, care and maintenance needs, speak to the team at Aussie Tree Solutions today. We have been taking care of South-East Queensland trees for over forty years and offer a full range of services from tree pruning to tree removals, Consulting Arborist services to stump grinding. Whatever your tree issue, we’ll get to the root of it!