We've had light rain, but trees need deep watering to prevent or recover from drought stress. Probe the soil 12" below the surface -- if it's dry and crumbly, your tree needs water.

In the absence of a soaking rain, water your mature tree once per month, and young trees every other week. Water gradually and deeply, applying water to the tree's root zone, particularly around the drip line. Learn more about smart watering.

Mulch insulates tree roots, preserves moisture in the soil, suppresses weeds, and feeds nutrients into the soil as it breaks down. Apply mulch 3-5" deep over the root zone of your tree, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.