While we were fortunate to have some rain this week, District officials are urging residents to adopt street trees and call in for free watering devices.
In response to the recent heat waves and dry conditions, the District Department of Transportation’s Urban Forestry Administration (UFA) is launching an effort to engage as many residents as possible in watering street trees so they survive this hot summer.
It takes less than 10 minutes a week to fill the free slow-drip watering device provided by the city to any individual who adopts street trees through UFA’s Canopy Keepers program.
“Summer heat and normal urban pressures create intense stress for street trees,” said John Thomas, Chief Forester for the District of Columbia. “While UFA crews are watering all 3,500 new trees we planted this year, we are calling on District residents and businesses to help water street trees close to their homes and offices. Together, we can ensure that these taxpayer-funded assets provide their full environmental, economic, and social benefits for years to come.”
Please contact the Urban Forestry Administration at (202) 671-5133 or visit http://ddot.dc.gov and click on the “Trees” link to become a Canopy Keeper, receive a free watering device and help street trees survive the summer.
