20 Jun EcoTip #10 – We need trees – Trees need special care during drought
Summer in the city can be hot and noisy. Trees provide shade and help cool the urban heat island. Areas with heavy tree cover can be at least two to four degrees cooler during summer. The cooling effect of trees helps lower energy costs and reduces pollution.
Trees also act as a buffer to absorb noise in the city. A 100-foot wide and 45 foot tall patch of trees can reduce noise levels by 50 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
With buildings and parking lots taking the place of more trees each year, Austin has become an urban heat island. To keep our cool, we need to protect trees. In this drought, they require special care.
Tips for taking care of trees during a drought
- Trees need deep watering every two weeks – soak soil around the edge of the canopy
- Keep water area away from the base of the trunk to avoid rotting and fungal attack
- Mulch heavily to keep moisture in and soil temperatures down (keep much away from the base of the tree)
- It’s not a good idea to plant new trees right now
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