Our young trees are hot and thirsty. Help them survive the summer by offering them a drink

by Marlene Berlin

July 4th weekend was a scorcher. Forecast highs for the coming days are in the 90s. And young yard and street trees are desperate for a drink of water.

The trees need to watered every week throughout the summer and into the fall. Downpours don’t count – only a good soaking rain or a long drink from a garden hose will do.

This is especially critical for any trees planted less than three years ago, and for the trees in the tree box areas in front of our houses. They usually arrive equipped with green plastic watering bags that allow a slow and steady soaking.

If you don’t have a hose long enough to fill the bag, ask to borrow your neighbor’s. Sometimes the holes in the bottom of the bag get clogged. If your tree’s water bag doesn’t empty in five to nine hours, poke a few holes with a sharp tool.

Casey Trees has other tree watering tips.

Be kind to those new trees, and you’ll thank yourself in future summers when they are fully grown and cooling the concrete sidewalks and asphalt streets.

(Adapted from a 2017 post because this is an annual plea.)