Thirsty Tree Time is Here!
Whoeee! It sure got hot — and dry. You think you get thirsty fast? Try being a young tree, often surrounded by hot pabement, and especially here in the dense North Loop, brick buildings that absorb heat all day then radiate it outward all night.
You can help “freshman” trees — those planted this Spring — have a better chance of making it to their sophomore year and into thriving adulthood.
Here’s how: Freshly-planted trees couldn’t be easier to spot. Each wears a green-plastic cone around the base. It’s actually a bag that can hold twenty gallons of water — enough to keep a freshman tree hydrated for about a week. The bags slowly release the water to the roots of the tree.
Fresh-in-the-ground youngster right outside Puttshack.
Three things are needed to get that bag refilled week by week now through October, when cooler weather and more reliable rains usually return.
- A faucet within, say, 50 feet of the tree(s) you want to water. If you can’t find one, it might be hidden behind a door.
- A “key” to turn the faucet on and off.
- A long-enough garden hose on a caddy that you can access easily and regularly. Fill the bag with wtaer according to the directions on the bag.
I love trees as much as I love North Loop, and I’ll pedal over to you for some Tree Watering Coaching. I’ll even provide a key for you to use all season long.
Also, if you have a young tree in need of a water bag, the North Loop Neighborhood Association (NLNA) has extras for you!
Benefits of Trees
Here’s how much good karma and good times you’ll enjoy. First, in a few years, you and every passerby might be able to enjoy the cooling shade of the tree you water now.
These adolescent trees are getting big enough to cast a bit of shade. They’re also a lovely, fluffy contrast to the industrial vibe of the buildings.
Second, not just fellow humans will thank you. The tree itself will. That expanding canopy of leafy vigor will be how your tree says, “Go you! You helped welcome me to this great neighborhood. In scary times of heat and drought when I was young and (literally) just putting down roots, you saved my life. I’m so very grateful.”
Now these are happy street trees, casting plentiful shade as they generously buffer the building from the busy street. Every day, they thank the humans who have made their vigor possible. Stop by and reciprocate, a gentle palm-on-the-trunk pat will do it.
Third, the NLNA pays Davey Trees to fill water bags as needed, costing $15 per tree per fill-up. If a given season is a dry one, and we don’t have many volunteers, our tree-watering bills can top $6-$8 grand! We pay gladly: A thriving tree canopy is one of the cheapest and most effective tools for economic development. Buildings in leafy neighborhoods are worth more. Sidewalks in leafy neighborhoods attract more pedestrians, who are more likely linger, shop dine and be happy.
The less we spend on tree watering, the more we can spend on great parties, programs and promotions to benefit and delight our North Loop residents, visitors, workers and entrepreneurs.
Say yes! Here’s your chance to volunteer by watering a tree or two for the season!
This month, I’ll be reaching out all across North Loop, anywhere I see a tree bag within reach of a building faucet, to entice owners, managers and residents to get their tree-hug on.
Don’t be shy about contacting me first. You can reach me at louisraymond@northloop.org.
— By Louis Raymond, NLNA Board Member + Volunteer