Water your trees to help them through the heat

Temperatures are expected to rise to 100 degrees and higher this week in the Portland-Vancouver and Eugene-Springfield areas, so don’t forget to water your trees! Trees should be watered twice a week with five to ten gallons of water, especially during the first three summers after they’ve been planted.

Trees cool our cities by reducing the accumulated heat from sun-baked roofs, sidewalks and streets, which is called the urban heat island effect. They also cool our homes with their shade and add mist to the air through transpiration.

Friends of Trees offers videos on how to use an ooze tube or a drilled bucket to water your trees. It’s best to keep an 18-inch radius of weed-free, mulched area between your tree’s trunk and other plants, since weeds and grass absorb water that needs to reach the tree’s roots. Mulching also minimizes scarring from lawn mowers and weed whackers. But be sure to clear the mulch in a three-inch radius around the trunk to prevent fungus growth or infection.

Good things “grow” on trees, like cooler communities, cleaner water, better health, energy conservation, a safer community—and even money. Now is a great time to sign up to buy a tree to plant this fall or winter. Friends of Trees provides a permit, a tree approved by the city for the homeowner’s particular planting strip, delivery, hole digging, planting assistance, stakes and follow-up maintenance. Learn more at www.FriendsofTrees.org.