More than 470,000 new trees have been planted across New York City's five boroughs since MillionTreesNYC was first launched in October 2007. With record-breaking heat and very little rainfall this summer, we need the help of every New Yorker to water and protect our significant investment in expanding our city's urban forest.
Adopt a street tree or two today, and ensure the trees are regularly watered through the remainder of this hot summer!
Tips on watering New York City's trees:
• Trees need 15 to 20 gallons of water per week, especially young trees planted in the past three years.
• Water a tree slowly as the water needs to penetrate the soil rathering than running off the surface soil.
• Build a mulch donut around the tree's base that will capture and hold water.
• Don't waste time watering a tree's branches and leaves, because it's the tree's root system that needs the water most.
Some ideas for getting water to a tree:
• Use a bucket, large watering can or a hose to water a tree or two on your block, at a local school or playground, or in your front or backyard. And if you don't have a hose or bucket, ask a neighbor if you can borrow theirs!
• Consider purchasing a TreeGator - a slow releasing 15-gallon water bag - from your local nursery, garden center or The Home Depot.
• Poke small holes in the bottom of a large trash can. Place the trash can next to a tree, fill it with it with water, and leave it there overnight to water the tree.
• Ask your building's maintenance staff to water the trees in front of your apartment building or coop. It's easy to do when they're hosing off the sidewalks each morning.
• Ask local merchants to adopt the street trees in front of their businesses, and pledge to water and protect them year-round.
• Ask street vendors to dump water from coolers with melted ice or flower buckets into nearby tree beds at the end of the day.