Choosing Drought Resistant Trees For Your Outdoor Restaurant Patio
Posted on: 10 May 2016
If you have a restaurant with a large outdoor patio, then your patio is likely one of the best features. This is especially true with the summer fast approaching. However, if the patio area is bare, then there may not be much to visibly draw patrons to the patio area. A nice view can greatly increase your customer base, and hiring a landscape business to add trees to the space can help to create natural beauty. However, if you live in an area that is prone to droughts as the outdoor temperatures rise, then you will need to pick your trees carefully, or they may end up dying. Keep reading to learn about the features that make trees drought resistance and find out which varieties may be best for your business.
What Makes A Tree Resistant To Drought?
All plants need water to thrive, and this is no different of trees. Water is transported through the roots, under the bark, and then out to the tree leaves. Once the water reaches the leaves, it mixes with carbon dioxide and sunlight to create food for the tree.
Different trees will have different food and energy requirements, and this means that water needs can vary greatly as well. In general, trees that remain relatively small will not need as much energy to produce new bark, leaves, branches, and roots as the tree grows. Also, trees that use water efficiently will be more resistant to drought. Trees with deep and extensive root systems will be able to pull water from a larger area. Also, trees that have waxy leaves will not release as much fluid through evaporation.
Trees that do not have as many leaves do not need to produce or use as much energy, and this is also true of the plants that do not shed leaves regularly. This means that the tree will not need to utilize important energy resources to create new leaves in the spring.
Which Trees Should Be Chosen?
If you want hearty and drought resistant trees, then Gingko Biloba or Maidenhair trees are a great choice. These trees feature large fan-shaped leaves that are covered in a thick layer of wax. The leaves are green in the spring and summer months, and they turn a bright yellow color in the fall. While the trees are not particularly small since they can grow up to 50 feet tall, they are extremely easy to grow. In fact, the trees have been known to stay alive in areas where they have been exposed to atomic radiation. This means that a little bit of dry weather is not likely to kill off even freshly planted Gingko Biloba trees. However, you will need to make sure that you speak with your landscaping specialist about planting male trees only. Female trees tend to release a foul odor that may drive restaurant patrons away.
If you want to draw birds near your patio so that patrons can enjoy the local wildlife, then consider planting Hackberry trees. These trees feature coarse and textured bark with a dark brown patina. The trees grow to a medium height and have small green waxy leaves. During the fall, the trees produce small berries that serve as a food source for a wide variety of birds. While the trees do tend to grow rapidly, they are fairly resistant to droughts. The trees also thrive in many different soils and environments, and they can stay strong against strong winds.
Some other good drought resistant trees include short leaf pine, willow, oak, sumac, and juniper trees. Work with your landscaping professional from a company like Boyer WH to find the best mixture of trees for your patio area. Also, ask about pruning services that will help to keep growth manageable so the trees do not need as much water to remain healthy.
Share