Brookline Residents Asked to Help Water Town Trees

While much of the state is under a watering ban, officials in Brookline are asking residents to take the time to pour a little water on town-owned trees in Brookline's streets and parks.

"Although the town waters newly planted trees for up to three years, there is no substitute for a nearby friend give a thirsty tree some water," Hugh Mattison, chair of the town's Tree Planting Committee, wrote in an email.

Mattison said trees planted within the last four years do best with five gallons of water every three to four days through the summer months, and offered these tips for watering town trees:

• Use the mulch at the base of the tree to form a bowl that will hold the water as it is absorbed into the soil.
• Use a bucket or open-ended garden hose and allow water to run slowly.
• Water infrequently, but deeply, such that the water can reach six to eight inches into the soil.
• Water after the sun has set, and consider the town's watering schedule and recent rains.

Mattison also suggests consulting a set of watering guidelines produced by the Minneapolis Parks Department.