Wet soil threatens Albuquerque trees

Heavy rainfall following a long drought has left some trees in Albuquerque at risk of drowning.

Saturated soil is pushing oxygen out from around tree roots, creating conditions that threaten their survival.

Joran Viers, a tree consultant who previously served as a New Mexico State University extension expert, warned that this rare stretch of wet soil poses a danger after months of dry weather.

Viers noted that while it is uncommon for trees to drown in Albuquerque, it does happen.

Cooler autumn weather worsens the problem because trees lose their foliage and pull less water from the soil, reducing their ability to dry out the ground as they would in July.

The drought killed many of the finer roots, making it harder for trees to absorb water now that the soil is saturated.

Viers said dry days ahead may give trees time to absorb leftover water and regrow those finer roots.

He advised homeowners to watch for pests and hand-pick extra weeds.

Viers cautioned that high concentrations of glyphosate can kill trees, so homeowners should be careful with herbicides.

He also recommended pruning dead wood now but avoiding pruning live wood at this time of year.

Once the soil dries, Viers recommends deep watering trees once every two weeks through November.

Through winter until February, he suggests watering once a month.