Tree advocates are urging Oregonians to water their trees during this dry summer. Most of the state is in drought, which stresses even well-established trees.
Eric Burke, with Friends of Trees, spoke with me on his cell phone from where he and volunteers were weeding and mulching trees near Beltline Road in Eugene. He explains what trees need during an especially dry summer.
Burke: "The main thing is that they get enough water and when they get water that they get a slow, deep water where they have time to dry out between the waterings rather than frequent, shallow watering."
Burke says this is especially important for trees that were recently planted.
He says it also helps trees to weed around them and put mulch around the base. Burke says to put the mulch 3 inches back from the trunk and at least 3 inches deep.
Burke says trees benefit from about 10 to 15 gallons of water a week during the summer. Even with a chance of rain this weekend, Burke says it's unlikely to be enough to give trees a good, long drink.
