Residents urged to use their waste water to save newly planted trees

PR Date: Tuesday, 19 May 2020 - 12:00pm

North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC) is encouraging residents to help newly planted trees on road verges near their homes and in parks, by giving them a drink of water.

The Council is supporting a national campaign being promoted by the Aboricultural Association focusing on how young trees might be affected by the coronavirus pandemic during the dry summer months, if contractors who ordinarily water them are not available to do so.

NHDC is encouraging residents to get involved and water newly planted trees which can be identified as being supported by wooden stakes with tree guards around them. Information posters will be been placed on noticeboards in towns and parks to raise awareness of the tree watering campaign.

Where possible water should be sustainably sourced – bath water or water that has been used for washing up is suitable. Harvested rainwater is ideal.

Top tips include:

• Water regularly during dry periods with as much as you can – every little helps
• The best time to water is in the early morning or evening
• If the tree has a watering tube, then half of the water should be poured down the tube and the other half on the ground surface near the base of the tree

Originally launched by the Arboricultural Association, London Tree Officers Association, Municipal Tree Officers Association and the Association of Tree Officers, the campaign is now encouraging organisations and businesses across the UK to get the public involved in caring for young trees this summer.

Cllr Steve Jarvis, NHDC’s Executive Member for Environment said: “Trees need proper aftercare to be able to survive to maturity. Without receiving enough water to sustain them, they will die.

“This is a great way that residents of all ages can get involved in helping nature during these difficult times. Nurturing young trees by recycling water in this way will help the trees to grow, benefiting local wildlife and helping to fight climate change for many years to come.”