While this week has delivered some much-needed rain, the City of Grand Rapids is encouraging residents to supplement recent showers by watering their trees.
Grand Rapids had only 20 percent of normal rainfall in May and June is expected to be at least as dry. The City’s Forestry division says that dry conditions, especially this early in the summer season, can have devastating effects on trees and other landscape plants.
Water help trees make it through the hot summer months with less stress. Younger or newly planted trees are at greatest risk, but even larger established trees will benefit from supplemental water. While residents should consider water use conservation, watering trees can help maintain our tree canopy, helping to clean the air, absorb greenhouse gasses/carbon, provide shade, reduce heat island effect/temperatures, and create breathable air.
Forestry offers the following tips for helping trees weather drought conditions:
- Trees have deeper roots than turf. Slow, steady watering is needed to reach tree roots.
- For large or established trees, water under the tree canopy moving the hose or sprinkler every few hours
- For newly planted trees, thoroughly water the root ball and surrounding soil
- Reduce the flow if water is seen running off the site
- If not using a hose, a five-gallon bucket with a 1/16-inch hole drilled in the bottom will trickle water slowly into the soil. It may take several fills for larger trees
- Dig down six to nine inches to check soil moisture. Continue watering if soils are not saturated
- Repeat watering periodically until normal weather conditions return. Soil type, slope, amount of sun, and temperature will affect how often supplemental water is required (e.g. sandy soils
- require more frequent watering than clay soils)
- Wilting and leaf shedding are natural responses to drought stress. Don’t give up! Keep adding water and your tree should recover
More information can be found at the following websites:
Our Kitchen Table 