Drought-Tolerant Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials in Edmonton
As an Edmonton homeowner, there’s no better way to enhance your outdoor living space and landscaping with trees. But with droughts being a common issue in Alberta due to fluctuating precipitation during the summer seasons, you will best benefit by planting trees that are drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. At Trusty Tree Services, our Edmonton arborists know all the ins and outs of the importance of drought-tolerant trees, shrubs, and perennials, as well as the popular options Native to Alberta. This will ensure you make informed decisions the next time you add a new tree species to your urban landscape.
Keep on reading to learn more about drought-tolerant trees in Edmonton.
Is Edmonton Prone to Droughts?
As an Edmonton homeowner, you may be thinking that it isn’t necessarily a major drought-prone area, especially in comparison to other parts of Southern and Northern Alberta. And while this is true, Edmonton still experiences periods of dry weather and occasionally faces water shortages.
Edmonton is technically in the Northern Alberta region, but it is in a favourable spot right in the central part of the province, making it less prone to droughts than the northern or southern areas. That being said, with heavy reliance on the North Saskatchewan River, precipitation, and snowmelt as the primary sources of water supply, it can become dry in the summertime, and even reach a dangerously low municipal water supply level.
It has also become more common for home and business owners to take on personal responsibility for conserving water wherever possible, as water restrictions have been put in place in the past for various reasons. Whether the river levels are low or a pipeline in the city breaks, it’s essential for homeowners to cut back on their water usage, which is where having drought-resistant foliage comes into play.
Importance of Drought-Resistant Trees in Edmonton
When you choose drought-resistant trees to enhance your urban landscape, not only do you benefit from them, but so do the rest of your surroundings. When it comes to the importance of planting drought-resistant trees in Edmonton, the main benefits include:
- Helps contribute to water conservation: As with any natural resource, it’s crucial to take personal responsibility wherever possible and reduce your water consumption. You don’t have to sacrifice showering or running the dishwasher to make an impact on your water reduction. By choosing trees that don’t need much water, you are doing your part as a resident.
- Improves urban landscapes: Drought-tolerant trees are still likely to be beautiful, so you never have to worry about limited landscaping options.
- Reduced maintenance and lawn care: When you don’t have a fussy tree, you can just sit back and watch it grow up to full maturity. Non-drought-tolerant trees not only require more than double the amount of water than drought-tolerant trees, but also make your life harder by having to implement frequent watering into your routine.
Drought-Tolerant Trees in Edmonton to Choose From
There are so many different drought-tolerant trees to choose from when you want to boost your landscape in Edmonton. Generally speaking, oak and pine trees are the most drought-tolerant trees that thrive in the Alberta climate, but there is a wide range of different trees to choose from, including:
- Cherry prinsepia
- Golden flowering currant
- Genista
- Hackberry
- Honeysuckle
- Juniper
- Shrubby potentilla
- Sea buckthorn
- Sumac
- Ash
- Buffaloberry
- Pine
- Pincherry
Drought-Resistant Perennials
For flowers that are easy to upkeep in the Edmonton climate, you will benefit best from planting any of the following drought-tolerant perennials:
- Potentilla
- Blanketflower
- Daylily
- Yarrow
- Stonecrop
- Snow-in-the-summer
- Sea holly
- Hens and chicks
- And more
These can handle up to half as much less watering as other perennials, making them ideal for droughts or water restrictions. They’re also tolerant of the cold climate, allowing you to have them rebloom every spring.
Trees that Are Only Moderately Drought-Resistant
There are many trees not equipped to handle prolonged drought periods, or some that are best drought-tolerant once established, including most cedar trees, as well as other species of trees, including amur cherry and elm trees. Mountain ash and other species of trees are only moderately tolerant to droughts, and certain trees are not drought-resistant at all, including aspen and birch trees.
While you shouldn’t completely avoid planting these trees for the sake of drought resistance, it’s something to consider to help save you money on water bills, tree maintenance and care. Don’t hesitate to have your dream birch tree, just be aware of the other options available that thrive on much fewer resources.
What Are the Signs of Edmonton Tree Drought Stress?
Even though you can choose hardy trees that take significantly less water than other species, drought stress is an issue that can affect any type of tree. Trees that don’t receive adequate water will showcase a common plant issue known as drought stress. This causes various damages to your tree, including stunted growth, injury, or even death. To identify drought stress in your trees, look out for any of the following signs:
- Yellowing or browning leaves: While your leaves turn yellow, orange, red, and even brown during the fall season, yellowing leaves during the summer or peak bloom season indicate there’s something wrong with your tree.
- Wilting or dropping leaves: Likewise to colour changes, leaves will naturally drop during the corresponding season, but leaves falling during the peak growing season are a sign your tree is lacking in essential nutrients.
- No fruiting or flowering: If your tree is meant to produce any fruits or flowers, your tree may not have been able to bloom correctly due to a lack of water.
There are ways to investigate and treat signs of drought stress in trees, including hiring a professional arborist for advice and reliable solutions. Don’t wait till it’s too late to salvage your tree from disease or death, and get service from our skilled arborists.