Landscape trees victims of heat, drought

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Landscape trees in the southern United States are falling victim to a prolonged spell of summers with hot weather and little rain, experts say.

University of Arkansas researchers say the stress of the drought has pushed many trees over the edge and even a forecast of rain in Arkansas in the coming days may not save them, a university release said Thursday.

"Many trees have already been damaged beyond repair," Jon Barry, extension forester for the university's Division of Agriculture, said.

"A return to normal rainfall might prolong a stressed tree's life a little, but many trees have already started dying and nothing will reverse that process."

Yard trees face handicaps their wild cousins don't, Barry said.

"One of the reasons yard trees are so vulnerable to drought stress is that they often do not have enough room to develop a good root system," he said. "Houses, driveways, and sidewalks create dry zones in the soil."