Watering Alert for trees in the city

If you've a tree on your property -- a new sapling or a shady giant -- it is in need of your help with water.  We're experienceing another summer of drought.

Why not give your neighbor a nudge too -- we all share the shade of those wonderful street trees.  Just a thought.

As noted in an article in the Toronto Star on Wednesday, "While June had a normal amount of total precipitation, nearly half of it fell on the first day, according to Environment Canada climatologist Geoff Coulson. In May, the weather station at Pearson International Airport reported rainfall of 44.4 mm compared with the average 72.4 mm, he said."

How much water does your tree need?

According to the Colorado State University (a great, concise one-page resource on tree care BTW) a general rule of thumb is to use approximately 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter for each watering.  Measure trunk diameter at knee height. General formula: Tree Diameter x 5 minutes = Total Watering Time.

Example: When you hand water using a hose at medium pressure, it will take approximately 5 minutes to produce 10 gallons of water. If you have a 4” diameter tree, it should receive 40 gallons of water - multiply by 5 minutes to equal total watering time of 20 minutes.  In times of drought large trees (16”+ diameter) should be watered 3 times per month, April through September.

In our Adopt A Tree program, and according to LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests), we use the rule of thumb that newly planted sapling trees need a minimum of 5 gallons of water (1" of rain) per week for its first four years while it establishes a root system.

And if you're having a "why bother" moment, there's a great reminder list of all the wonderful things that tree provides us with at Trees Ontario.  Not included on that list though is the increase in property value a mature tree brings!

Spread the word -- our trees need watering!

Because it takes 100 years to replace that 100-year-old Silver Maple on the front lawn.