Along the edge of an open area of our meadow we planted juniper and cedars five years ago, and some low-growing juniper this summer. Several large ponderosa pine dominate the area, their root systems drawing moisture from the sandy soil which is covered with native sages, penstemons and prairie grasses. Over the years, I've noticed the soil in this area dries out quickly due to exposure to winds and the southerly slope of the land. I hooked up the hose to the closest hydrant, attached a sprinkler and gave the young plants a good drink by soaking the entire area for three hours in the middle of the day. This watering should keep them safe in case we have another two dry months.
Dry winters are hard on birds also.
I keep our tube feeder filled with black oil sunflower seed, the food preferred by most birds. I sprinkle cracked corn and whole corn cobs on the ground for the jays, and keep the suet feeder filled for the woodpeckers and nuthatches. The birdbaths are kept full, and filled with fresh water daily. We have noticed the birds prefer bathing in the cement bowl rather than the plastic bowl with the built-in heater, I think because their feet can grasp the rough cement bottom while they splash around. So if you're thinking about buying a heated birdbath for your birds to bathe in and drink from, buy a heater you can put in a concrete bowl.