The Ground Might be Soggy Until the Leaves Return. Here’s Why…

Monday, March 17, 2025 - written by Green Frog Waterproofing

Trees play a significant role in drying up the ground through a combination of root absorption, transpiration, and wind effects. Here’s how each of these processes work:

Root Absorption (water uptake)

Tree Roots actively absorb water from the soil through a process called osmosis. The deeper and wider the root system the more water a tree can extract from the ground. This reduces soil moisture, making the ground drier over time.

Transpiration (water loss from leaves)

Water absorbed by roots moves upward through the tree. The water reaches the leaves and evaporates into the air through tiny openings called stomata. This process pulls more water from the soil, effectively drying it out. A single large tree can release hundreds of gallons of water into the air per day, depending on its size and species.

Wind and Evaporation Enhancement

Wind passing through the tree canopy increases evaporation rates as it blows leaves. As leaves release water vapor, dry air currents carry it away, encouraging the tree to pull more moisture from the ground. 

The Combined Effect: Soil Drying

In areas with dense tree cover this cycle repeats continuously, lowering the water table and drying the surrounding soil. As the trees in our area begin to “leaf-out” this process becomes more and more effective. This is why trees planted near buildings can sometimes contribute to foundation settling, by removing water from the soil, they can cause it to shrink and crack. Conversely, removing trees can lead to waterlogging in some areas, as the natural drying mechanism is lost. All this needs to be taken into account when considering yard drainage solutions. We are happy to help!