Why isn't the drought over?

Droughts don't end overnight. Months of below-average rainfall have left soils, rivers and groundwater levels under pressure, and a few days of rain cannot instantly replace that lost water. Our urban trees have already endured prolonged dry spells, record-breaking temperatures and five heatwaves this summer alone.

In fact, very dry ground can struggle to absorb heavy rainfall quickly. Water can run off before it reaches deeper soil layers where tree roots need it most. Sustained rainfall is needed over months, rather than a couple of heavy one-off showers.

Think of it like watering a dried-out houseplant. Much of the first watering runs straight through before the soil is able to hold onto moisture again.

What does this mean for urban trees?

Trees across the UK are showing signs of drought stress, including early leaf drop, browning foliage and thinning canopies. These are natural survival responses that help trees conserve water during difficult conditions.

Young trees are particularly vulnerable. Unlike mature trees, they don't have extensive root systems that can access deeper water reserves yet. Without continued watering and care, many newly planted trees could struggle to recover from this summer's challenging conditions.

Why urban nature still needs support

Urban trees are one of our strongest defences against climate change. They improve air quality, support wildlife and help make neighbourhoods healthier, more resilient places to live. They also help reduce the urban heat island effect, where built-up areas can become significantly hotter than surrounding green spaces during periods of extreme heat. Yet the same climate pressures they help protect us from are increasingly affecting them too.

As hotter, drier summers become more common, helping young trees survive and establish will be critical to building resilient urban forests for the future. Weather patterns such as El Niño are also expected to increase the likelihood of extreme weather, reinforcing the need to adapt how we plant, care for and protect urban trees.

How you can help

The coming weeks remain an important period for many young trees. That's why Trees for Cities is continuing its watering and maintenance efforts, even after the recent spells of rain. We're increasing water volumes, trying out new watering techniques and watering mulch before it's added to tree roots to lock in moisture.

But the trees need your help too!

• Water a young local tree — read our expert tree watering tips
• Donate a drink to support emergency watering efforts
• Spread the word about the importance of urban trees and their care! Follow us on Instagram, Threads, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn to learn more.

Every litre helps. Every tree matters. And while the rain is a welcome start, recovery for many urban trees is only just beginning.