Historical September–October 2017 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
In these warm dry days of August, September, and sometimes even in October, the ground gets dry, hard, and even cracks open due to lack of water.
While our lawns may recover from dry conditions, young trees often do not survive.
The city of St Louis Forestry Division has planted many trees in Skinker DeBaliviere in recent years, and neighbors have their own plantings as well.
A light rainfall, a quick summer storm, or some time with a sprinkler will help your lawn stay green, but your trees need a good soaking.
The St Louis Forestry Division offers this advice: “Run a garden hose near the base of your tree at a trickle for 10 minutes.
Another option is to place a 5-gallon bucket with 1/4” holes drilled into the sides and bottom and fill 3/4 with water. Place near the base of the tree. Infrequent and deep watering of a tree encourages a deeper root system as water penetrates deeper into the soil for root growth. Deep rooted trees are less likely to damage sidewalks and are more stable in storms.” Trees are a great benefit to our neighborhood.
In addition to beauty and shade they offer a healthier ecosystem, windbreaks from the cold in winter, they absorb pollution and provide fresh air, and studies show that trees in urban areas lower blood pressure and reduce stress. Trees are very helpful in many other ways as well, all which help build healthy communities.
If you notice that your neighbor’s tree needs a little care, offer to water it for him or her; it will help keep our neighborhood vibrant.
Original photograph caption
Young tree watering illustration.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September–October 2017.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2017_09.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
