Irrigation is an option for some dry sites. However, it can be expensive and labor-intensive and must be applied on a regular basis. Planning a landscape with differing zones of watering needs is a practical approach. Place plants with similar moisture needs together to simplify irrigation and avoid incompatibility problems. Drying winds and reflected heat from buildings cause desiccation, especially during winter when the ground is frozen and moisture is unavailable to plants.
Prolonged desiccation can result in death of individual cells and plant tissue.
The leaves of broadleaf evergreens will curl to reduce the amount of leaf surface exposed to drying wind. Leaf scorch can be intensified for trees that have roots growing under pavement. In this situation, moisture is blocked by the pavement. As the pavement heats, it raises the temperature of surrounding soil, causing it to lose more moisture. The amount and intensity of sunlight influence plant growth and selection.