St Albans City and District Council is urging residents to water newly-planted trees to help prevent them from wilting and dying during what has been one of the most pronounced spells of dry weather in years.

It is appealing for residents to ‘Adopt a tree’ which has been planted in their local vicinity within the past five years and to help care for it by carrying out three simple tasks:

· water the tree daily with one small bucket of water,
· clear the base of the tree from weeds without strimming which damages bark,
· check that any tree planted in a public area is securely tied to its stake and report any problems to the Council’s Trees and Woodlands department.

The care plan will save young trees from dying and allow them to develop into mature trees that enhance our urban landscape, provide shade and support biodiversity.

When the Council’s contractors plant new trees they put postcards appealing for help with watering through the letterboxes of houses located adjacent to the trees. The Council has also recruited a dedicated group of 40 voluntary tree wardens who help with the watering of trees.

However, due to the unusually dry conditions that the District has been experiencing, there is a need for additional watering of young trees.

Andrew Branch, the Council’s Trees and Woodlands Officer, said: “Despite laying mulch mats around the base of trees, the posting of postcards and watering by contractors and the Council’s voluntary tree wardens, the District’s young trees are suffering. We are asking residents to adopt newly planted trees and help them to establish and survive by watering them during any long spells of dry weather. One bucket a day is enough, or alternatively a watering can could be poured into any plastic watering tube next to the tree.”

Cllr Robert Donald, Leader of St Albans City and District Council, said: “The ‘Adopt a tree’ initiative is a way of responding to the long spell of dry weather we are currently experiencing. The Council is concerned that we are in danger in the District of losing a number of young trees if they are not watered properly. Adopting a tree involves watering any newly planted tree with approximately one small bucket of water each day. Caring for a tree is a fun, family activity that can be carried out during the school holidays. It will help children learn more about their local area and encourage them to take an active interest in its upkeep.”

More information about caring for trees is available from The Tree Council, a charity that promotes the planting and conservation of trees and woods. It supports the national volunteer Tree Warden scheme to encourage people to play and active role in conserving and enhancing their local trees and woods. The Tree Council’s website is at: http://www.treecouncil.org.uk/

Anyone who wants to join the St Albans Voluntary Tree Warden Scheme can contact the Council’s Tree and Woodlands Officer, Andrew Branch on 01727 819363.
Notes:

1. The UK has had one of the driest first six months of the year for 100 years, according to the Met Office. January to June had average rainfall of around 362.5mm, according to the Met Office, making it comparable with 1953 which had 361.1m. 1929 had the driest first six months of a year, when 275.7m of rain was recorded. More information is available on the Met Office website at: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2010/pr20100707.html

Met Office figures show that the last three months for Hertfordshire have been particularly dry.

Rainfall (actual) Rainfall (long term average)
May 36.7mm 49.2mm
June 24.9mm 57.5mm
July 25.2mm 46.9mm

2. The Tree Council is the UK’s lead charity for trees, promoting their importance in a changing environment. It works in partnership with communities, organisations and government to raise awareness of the importance of trees. The charity is responsible for an annual community action programme that includes Seed Gathering Season, National Tree Week and Walk in the Woods month.

The Tree Council also supports the national volunteer Tree Warden Scheme, an initiative to enable people to play an active role in conserving and enhancing their local trees and woods. The scheme is founded by the Tree Council and is co-ordinated with the support of the government department Communities and Local Government.