Posts

The “Hairdryer Effect”: How Heatwaves Burn Our Trees and Shrubs

26 June 2026

When we experience a heatwave, our first instinct is to look for shade. But for the trees that provide this very coolness—acting as true natural air conditioners for our environment—a heatwave can be a deadly event. Scientists and arborists are increasingly using a descriptive term to explain a devastating phenomenon: the “hairdryer effect.”

Although plants are resilient, extreme heatwaves create a physiological “perfect storm” that can lead to rapid decline, structural failure, and death. Understanding this mechanism is the first step toward protecting our urban and natural canopies…
Read more

Common Misconception: Can You Really Plant in the Middle of Summer?

19 June 2026

Every gardener knows the traditional proverbs claiming that shrubs, trees, or perennials must be planted in autumn, winter, or spring. For generations, we’ve been told that autumn and winter gardening is the exclusive secret to success when installing new trees, shrubs, or perennials.

However, this traditional timeline has given rise to a very common — and dangerous — misconception. Many gardeners imagine that if they plant in autumn or winter, nature will take care of everything and the plants will never need to be watered. This is a myth. In reality, any newly installed tree or shrub requires attentive watering during its first two years in the ground so that its root system can establish itself properly, especially during dry spells. The only exception to this rule is the period when plants are in total dormancy; watering a resting plant in freezing weather is useless and can even cause the roots to rot…
Read more

The tree: A biological technology serving climate resilience

30 May 2026

In the face of accelerating global warming and the intensification of urban heat islands, trees should no longer be perceived as mere elements of landscape decoration. They represent a genuine natural…
Read more