Water Trees Deeply, July 24

Oregon’s weather this spring and summer has been anything but the norm, and while conditions have cooled off temporarily this week there’s no doubt those high temps will return. It’s a good time to take stock of the numerous water-starved trees still being spotted in Oregon communities and urban centers. “Recently planted trees are most susceptible to drought, but even established trees suffer,” says Erik Burke, Eugene Director with Friends of Trees. “If they aren’t well-watered, warm weather and prolonged drought eventually make trees more susceptible to insect and disease problems,” adds Burke. “In Oregon, summer rains rarely provide the deep water that trees need,” says Brighton West, Deputy Director in the Portland office of Friends of Trees. “If we get less than an inch of rain in a week, we go out watering trees,” he adds. When temperatures in Oregon get warm and stay warm, it can take a toll on trees as well as people. The Oregon Department of Forestry suggests a few tips for keeping your trees healthy during times of heat stress.