It’s hot outside, and just like us, trees need to drink too! With the ongoing drought and extremely high temperatures, newly planted trees require weekly watering. The Tree Advisory Committee has put together some guidelines to help you maintain the health of these valuable additions to our community.
As a general rule, trees need at least 10 gallons of water for every inch of trunk diameter (measured at knee height). A good, deep watering once or twice a week is far better than light watering every day. Slow and deep watering is optimal, as it reduces runoff. Gator bags can be very effective, allowing water to drip slowly to the roots. Alternatively, a five-gallon bucket with small holes drilled in the bottom can also work well. Additionally, properly mulched trees help conserve moisture, lower soil temperatures, and limit weed growth.
If you have trees that were planted by the City within the last 3 to 4 years, located in the public right-of-way, please make an effort to water them. Many new trees have been planted in the Hayden, Wilkinson, Tyler, Cushing, and Lavoie neighborhoods due to the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer. The Public Works Department is actively working to water these trees, but your additional support will help ensure their survival during these challenging drought conditions.
For more information on how to water your trees, please check out this blog post from the Arbor Day Foundation arbordayblog.org/treecare/how-to-properly-water-your-trees/.