Where healthy trees can recover from drought damage, the chances of recovery for weak ones are less encouraging. There is little to be done. When looking at the forests around you, keep in mind they too are affected by lack of water. However, periodic short-term droughts are common in New Hampshire's forests, helping trees adapt. Adaptations include thick leaves often with a protective coating, early leaf drop and deep root systems.
Droughts take their toll on trees.
They put them through quite a cycle, but the healthy trees will recover in time. It's important, however, to monitor them. Droughts weaken trees and make them more susceptible to disease and insect attack. All things being equal, some common native trees have shown themselves to be more resistant to drought than other trees. They include eastern red cedar, white spruce, red pine, pitch pine, eastern white pine, and northern red oak.