Why do my trees stop growing in the summer?

​Vacaville Tree Service plants a lot of new trees for our customers every year. Occasionally we get the question of why trees stop growing during the summer. Many of our customers like us to plant fruit trees for them. Of course, when you plant a little fruit tree, all you want is for it to grow fast, and provide you with a bounty of whatever fruit your tree grows. When the tree stops growing during the hot summer months, people tend to think there is a problem. Perhaps the tree is not getting enough water? Nutrients? Too much sun? The answer to all these questions could be yes. But it could also have everything to do with it just being summer.
Springtime brings new growth, and a lot of it. I watched my apple tree this year put on 7 inches in just a matter of a couple weeks, only to watch it barely achieve a centimeter in any given month after spring. This is normal. Rising temperatures plays big role in the decreased amount of growth. Photosynthesis, which is how trees use sunlight to synthesize foods from CO2 and H2O, is altered during the summer months. Without getting in to too much detail, photosynthesis loses its function during the hottest parts of the day due to a lack of an enzyme; without it, growth comes to a standstill. 

​The decrease in photosynthesis is a big part as to why your tree has stopped growing, but it is not the only reason. With the hot summer days, like we are having right now, soil moisture decreases dramatically. With little moisture for the trees to absorb, the trees physiology is completely changed, which is also a contributor to decreased growth.
What can you do to help your trees during these hot summer days? In the evening, when the sun as set, water your trees. Give them a good drenching; they will thank you for it. Also, provide the tree with nutrients. Other than these two suggestions, there is not much else you can do. When spring comes around again, you will see your trees explode with new growth. If you would like the most optimal growth, be sure to fertilize your trees when spring hits and growth starts.
Vacaville Tree Service is here and open for business during these difficult times. We are well prepared to meet our customers safely, with little worry of COVID virus transmission. We have personal protective equipment that will keep you and us safe. Take advantage of our free estimate offer. Once you meet the team, I am confident we will earn your business. For more information you can visit our web page at http://treeservicevacaville.com. Have a great day and stay safe out there!