Late July Tree Care Guide: What Your Trees Need Before August Hits

As we near the end of July in Northern Virginia, the summer sun is relentless—and so are the stressors your trees are facing. From heatwaves to pest activity, now is a critical time to check in on your trees and shrubs before the calendar flips to August.

At Potomac Tree and Shrub, we believe late July is one of the most overlooked windows for proactive tree care. Take advantage of it now, and your trees will thank you come fall.

🌞 1. Late-July Heat Can Be Deadly—Don’t Wait to Water

Even mature trees can become stressed from consistent 90-degree days with little rainfall. By the last week of July, signs of water stress are often visible—wilting, curling leaves, browning tips, or early leaf drop.

Warning signs to look for:

Leaves turning yellow or brown prematurely

Wilting or scorched foliage, especially on young trees

Dry, cracking soil around the root zone

Install a soaker hose or slow-drip irrigation system to deeply water trees once or twice a week. If your trees are under extra stress, our deep root watering service can restore critical hydration and prevent long-term damage.

🐛 2. Bagworm Hatchlings Are Active—Act Fast Before They Spread

If you had bagworms in June, their offspring are now feeding aggressively in late July. These pests strip foliage, particularly from evergreens like arborvitae, cedar, and juniper.

The more they feed, the bigger they grow—and the harder they are to control.

Look for:

Small, silk-like bags hanging from branches

Browning tips or thinning needles

Increased bird activity (feeding on larvae)

Our arborists can apply targeted treatments to stop active infestations and prevent serious defoliation. Waiting too long allows them to build protective cases that render sprays ineffective.

🌿 3. Summer Pruning: Timing Is Everything

While major structural pruning is best done during dormancy, light summer pruning in late July can help shape growth, remove diseased limbs, and reduce weight on overextended branches.

Ideal for:

Oak and maple canopy thinning

Removing storm-damaged or dead branches

Controlling fast-growing limbs near rooftops or power lines

Let our team handle precise, strategic summer pruning to reduce stress on your trees while maintaining proper form and safety.

🍄 4. Watch for Root Rot and Fungal Growth

High humidity and frequent summer storms can result in poor drainage and waterlogged soil, especially in clay-heavy areas of Northern Virginia. That’s a recipe for root rot and fungal infections.

Signs include:

Soft or squishy areas around the base of the trunk

Fungal mushrooms or conks growing near roots

Sudden canopy thinning or dieback

If caught early, we can provide treatments and improve soil aeration using vertical mulching or air spading. Ignoring root issues now can lead to tree failure in the fall.

🦠 5. Keep an Eye on Bacterial Leaf Scorch

Late July is when symptoms of bacterial leaf scorch (BLS) become most visible, especially on oaks, elms, and maples. It’s a serious disease with no cure, but early intervention can slow its spread.

Symptoms include:

Irregular browning along leaf edges

Sudden wilting on one side of the tree

Burned-looking leaf tips, especially during heat

Our ISA Certified Arborists can diagnose and manage BLS with professional monitoring, targeted pruning, and care plans to extend tree longevity.

💨 6. Prepare Now for August Storms

Virginia’s late summer storms can appear out of nowhere—high winds, saturated ground, and lightning strikes can take down trees in minutes.

Preventative care includes:

Cabling and bracing weak limbs

Removing hazardous deadwood

Checking trees near structures for root instability

Book a Tree Safety Inspection now to protect your property before the next summer storm.

🧠 Tree Health Starts Before There's a Problem

Late July is not the time to ignore your trees—it’s the time to act. Whether it’s watering, pruning, pest control, or soil care, what you do now determines how your landscape looks and performs this fall.

🌳 Ready to protect your trees before August hits? We’re here to help.

📞 Call Jeremy at 571.354.1153 or visit www.potomactree.com to schedule your late summer tree health check.

Let’s keep your trees strong, safe, and beautiful—starting now.

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