Hot weather and dry conditions have prompted state and federal agencies to send various "fact sheets" to Northwest newspapers, offering reminders to readers of what to do or not to do during this current heat wave.
AAA encourged motorists to take extra precautions before hitting the road, the Washington State Fire Marshal's Office warned of fire evacuation procedures, the Department of Labor and Industries provided statistics that summer is the most dangerous of months for workers, and the Department of Health listed precautions to reduce the risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
All of these facts are great reminders and should be heeded.
The one "fact sheet" that really caught the eye, however, came from the Oregon Department of Forestry. The tips offered provided fresh insight into the world of trees during heat stress.
According to the information, one of the first signs that a deciduous tree needs water is that its leaves begin to look dull. Advanced symptoms of needing water are yellowing of leaves, wilting and curling at the edges. Evergreen needles may turn yellow, red, purple or brown.
During prolonged dry periods with higher temperatures, the amount of water required to keep a lawn green is not enough for a tree. If trees are only provided with shallow water, every day, they're probably only getting a fraction of what they need, the Department of Forestry said.
To water a tree properly, Forestry said, saturate the soil around the tree directly under the tips of its outermost branches. Water deeply and slowly so water doesn't run-off.
A tip offered included putting a nail hole in the bottom of a five-gallon bucket. Fill the bucket and leave it slowly leaking under the canopy of the tree. Do this twice or three times per tree, moving the bucket each time.
Other tips offered include:
Using mulch, since mulch helps the soil below trees retain moisture and stay cool.
Don't plant annual flowers or other groundcovers under the canopy of the tree. Remove lawn and replace with mulch.
Know what kinds of trees you have -- fruit trees need extra water, whereas elms and pines need less.
As it said in the press release, proper tree care pays big dividents in the long run.
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