Slow-recovering and threatened plants are easy to recognize by the branch dieback, which indicates root damage.

The drought-breaking rains will quickly translate into new growth and full recovery for many plants over the next few months. Roses, lawn grass, perennials and wildflowers are especially adept to quick recovery.

For other plants, recovery will be slower and require one or more full growing seasons with adequate moisture. Still for others, the rain came too late, and they will continue to decline and die over the next few years.

Slow-recovering and threatened plants are easy to recognize by the branch dieback, which indicates root damage. A plant with root damage is less likely to utilize the newly available soil moisture and has very little tolerance for recurring stress due to dry or soggy soils.

Identify those plants (usually trees and shrubs) that were severely injured in the drought and give them special attention.

• Prune off dead wood.
• Apply mulch over the root system.
• For shrubs and small trees, provide deep watering every time the soil dries under the mulch.
• For large trees, limit irrigation to once per month if there is no rain.

It's key for the soil to dry out some between watering events. Soggy soil is just as deadly to a plant with root damage as drought is.

Calvin R. Finch is director of regional initiatives and special projects for San Antonio Water System.