Water your trees!

Minneapolis has had one of the driest falls on record and very low snowfall this winter, which means that trees need to be watered! If we receive less than once inch of rainfall in a week, water the trees in your yard and boulevard. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board plants and prunes trees on the boulevard, but does not water them. We have had many years of drought in the Twin Cities and all trees should be watered, not just young trees.

How does one inch of rainfall translate to a watering with a hose? An easy way to make sure that trees get enough water is to run your hose at a trickle for an hour under the crown of the tree. Make sure to set a timer so you don't forget to turn off the water!

A good way to remember to water is to make sure that you do it on the same day each week. A common suggestion is to water your trees on garbage day.

Additionally, a good layer of mulch will help the soil retain moisture. At Tree Trust we prefer shredded mulch over wood chips. When mulching, remember: doughnuts, not volcanoes! The mulch should be a doughnut shape around the trunk and should not touch the trunk. Weeding around the tree will also prevent weeds from competing with the tree for moisture.

Keep your trees healthy and happy and they will return the favor through increased property values, decreased heating and cooling costs, and better air quality. Besides all that, who doesn't enjoy a nice spot of shade on a hot summer day?