Street Trees Need You:

Caring for Newly Planted Trees During Drought and Water Restrictions

Despite recent rains, the region still is under drought conditions. Parks & People Foundation offers city residents these alternative methods for watering newly planted street and park trees, which must have a minimum of 20 gallons of water each week for the first three years.

Pour water onto trees slowly so that it percolates down to the roots.
Mulch lightly using 2-4 inches of shredded or chipped bark mulch, shaping it into a saucer around the trunk.
Capture water around your house to use on your young trees and plants:
Save the cooking water when you prepare corn, pasta or greens and carry it to your plants when it’s cooled off.
Keep a bowl in the sink to collect the water you use to rinse your hands.
Catch the water from the shower while you are waiting for it to get hot.
Use “gray” water from your washing machine if you have used a mild detergent.

Under current water restrictions, you may not leave your sprinkler running, but you can still water newly planted trees by hand using buckets of water or your hose.

The Foundation suggests organizing a tree steward team to care for the trees in neighborhood parks and along the street. “Trees clean our air, filter rainwater, and provide shade in the summer and windbreaks in the winter. You can’t have healthy neighborhoods without healthy trees,” the Foundation reminds us.

For more information, see www.parksandpeople.org or call Amanda Cunningham, Parks & People Foundation Community Forestry Manager, at 410-448-5663 ext. 103.

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This story was published on September 4, 2002.