After a summer marked by high temperatures and little rainfall, many areas in New Hampshire are experiencing drought conditions that are affecting local tree species. According to University of New Hampshire Extension, the combination of weather extremes and persistent pests and diseases is putting significant stress on community trees.
Recent climate patterns in the region have alternated between cool, wet springs and hot summers, with periods of both flooding and drought. These fluctuations are particularly challenging for cold-adapted trees such as sugar maples, which are showing signs of stress. Birches are also affected but appear to recover more quickly after shedding leaves during difficult conditions.
Beech trees are especially vulnerable due to ongoing drought combined with diseases like beech bark disease and beech leaf disease, the latter spread by nematodes. “Trees are surviving, but they are struggling. As a key woodland species for bears, mammals, birds and insects their decline would be a huge impact ecologically,” states the University of New Hampshire Extension.
Other species face their own challenges. Hemlocks continue to deal with infestations from hemlock wooly adelgid and elongate hemlock scale. Eastern white pines are still recovering from needle disease that followed an unusually rainy 2023 season. Red Pine Scale is spreading in Keene and is expected to have a significant effect on the urban landscape in coming years.
Human activity is also contributing to tree stress in urban environments. Trees planted in small spaces surrounded by concrete are more susceptible to heat and drought. Additional factors such as pollution, soil compaction, mechanical damage from equipment or vandalism, and lack of care further compromise tree health.
For more details about current tree health issues in New Hampshire, residents can refer to the Forest Health Newsletter published by University of New Hampshire Extension.
