Effects of Drought Stress on Trees and Landscape Plants

Let's blame El NiÃ±o or La NiÃ±a for something else. During times of drought, trees and landscape plants often show the effects of the hot, dry weather. The drought of 1999 and 2000 has had an impact on plants in Texas. To put into perspective the effect severe drought can have on plants, consider the following facts. Green plants normally have a moisture content of 125% - 200% or more. However, during severe and prolonged drought, the moisture content of live, woody plants can drop below 100%. Not only is this very harmful to trees, it contributes to extreme conditions for forest and range fires.

Texas Forest Service The Texas A&M University System