Street tree watering season has started

All the new trees as well as the older trees will need a weekly dose of 20 litres of water from now until the end of September, to make sure they thrive for many years to come. Our tree watering scheme ensures that our tree survival rate is higher than other local authorities. It's essential that newly planted street trees are watered regularly in the first three years following planting. This is where our Tree Guardians come in! If you are interested in becoming one please let us know here.

Watering guide

• Use 20 measured litres in one weekly hit March-October, two years minimum

• In dry, hot or windy weather, increase to 2 to 3 times a week

• In wet weather maintain routine as rain runs off pavements

Watering tips - for best practice

• Follow the '20 litres in one hit' routine (measure don’t guess!) to encourage vertical root growth from the start

• Please give a single watering of 20 litres as soon as the tree is planted to replace any water loss in transit

• Always water using the irrigation pipes provided, as well as watering the soil around the top of the root ball

• Remove wild vegetation that will compete for available water (additional planting around the tree should be avoided during the first two years)

• Involve neighbours and set up watering groups, even for one tree, but especially when more than one is involved. Flyers are available

• If possible, mulch to retain moisture - bark clippings, leaf mould or well-rotted horse manure (fresh manure will damage the tree).

   More information on watering can be found on our here