Watering Trees Using Soaker Hoses

Posted on May 4, 2012 by
soaker hose under the mulch

You can mulch over soaker hoses, which helps hold the water in ground.

One watering method for trees is using soaker hoses.  TreeSteward Steve Campbell shares his experiences below.

I’ve installed 100′ lengths of soaker hose under a layer of mulch, snaking it around plants in planting beds. I bring a regular hose over and hook it up to the soaker hose end. One advantage- the soaker hose will efficiently irrigate a larger area than a gator bag/ooze tube. For the soaker hose installed under mulch, (see photo above)  it is important to keep the hose fitting covered (plastic bag and a tie) to keep dirt out between uses.  To anchor the soaker hoses I bend 10 or 12 gauge galvanized wire into a “U” shape.  Also note where you’ve installed it before digging in your garden, using a plant label or good memory.  Electrical tape can be wound multiple times if a small leak develops in a hose (rare in my experience).

I use a portable, 25′ length hose in more limited situations and just lay it on the ground around the root zone, I water the trees in front of my house using a portable, 25′ length hose and just lay it on the ground around the root zone. (see photo below) I remove the hose after each watering, which is a little cumbersome but it’s worth it to have shade on the street.

soakerhose around tree

A soaker hose is better for watering roots farther from the trunk. Photo by TreeSteward Steve Campbell

To determine the flow rate of a new soaker hose: I first connect a regular hose to it, put the soaker hose in a large pail, turn on the faucet for 30 seconds or one minute, then turn the water off. You can determine the flow rate by measuring the water in the bucket. The faucet position would best be turned to about the same approx. place to get a similar flow rate. I mark a spot on the faucet with tape. I myself use kitchen timers, but there are timers which connect into the water line and cut off the flow when desired. For more information google, for example, ”soaker hose tips”, or go to a site like www.savingwater.org

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TreeSteward Class of 2012 Celebrates Graduation!

Posted on April 25, 2012 by

Training accomplished, final exams passed, the twenty-eight members of TreeStewards Class of 2012 celebrated their graduation with former graduates and current volunteers.  TreeStewards President, Nora Palmatier, congratulated the graduates and asked each to talk about planned volunteer work. Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent Kirsten Buhls reminded the graduates that their role is now to spread tree care information throughout their communities. Upon receiving their certificates, all described their next volunteer project: coordinating neighborhood Tree Canopy Fund, working at information tables at Farmers Markets, assisting at upcoming Parkfairfax native plant sale, serving on tree commissions and designing sculptures of good tree care for presentations.  Another crop of inspiring and dedicated volunteers joins the cause!

A young TreeSteward in Training models the new t-shirts that proclaim: We Stand Up for Trees. Photos by Brigitte Coulter

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How Much Does It Cost To Water Your Trees?

Posted on April 16, 2012 by

Doughnut shaped water bags provide a wider area for watering, and keep weed wackers far away!

My Arlington County Utility bill just came. Since its been so dry this spring, I’ve watered my trees weekly and  I’m very interested in what this costs. Both water and sewer fee are charged per 1000 gallons of use, and currently they charge $12.19 for every one thousand gallons of water that comes out my outdoor spigots.

A large tree needs twenty gallons of water each week if there is not one inch of rainfall;  newly planted saplings may need half as much.  I have three large trees, two saplings and eight small shrubs that I would hate to lose to drought.  So weeks with no rain, let’s say I use 200 gallons of water, or 1/5 of the cost per 1,000 of $12.19.  For me it is a no brainer: less than $2.50 to have shade around my house or buy one more very small espresso weekly?

I use watering bags around my young trees because filling up weekly is easy, and my calendar is marked to fill the bags each Sunday. You can buy watering bags at local hardware stores or order on-line.  Search for gator bags, ooze tubes, soaker hoses, watering systems and pick the one right for your yard.

Upright bags zipper around the tree trunk. All bags need to be filled with water weekly to work.

True, it costs more if drought stays the entire summer and I wish to save all my plants. For the last several years, our combined water/sewer bill regularly increases 6,000 gallons which now costs about $75.  I will admit that in the summer of 2008, our watering bill jumped by more than $200.  We fixed the running toilet immediately.

Search the blog for “watering” to learn more techniques to weather the summer.

Posted in Education, Tree Care | Tagged , ,

Bluemont Junction Trail Update: April 13, 2012

Posted on April 13, 2012 by
Newly cleared area reviewed for planting

Environmental Landscape Supervisor Patrick Wegeng and Planting Coordinator Lois Barb review newly cleared area for future plantings.

If you walk or bike to Ballston Metro from the south-west, chances are you use the trail that cuts thru parkland from the intersection of George Mason Drive/Wilson Boulevard to the Fairfax Drive/I 66 exit. Did y0u wonder why 100 white pin flags suddenly appeared throughout the grounds?

The Bluemont Junction Trail’s Green Corridor Initiative is creating habitat for songbirds, butterflies, and other wildlife over the next year.  For the last two months, crews from Arlington County’s Parks and Natural Resources Division have cleared away the choking vines that killed the small trees and shrubs on the outskirts of the trail, and are now replanting with a wide variety of plants.

If you walk the trail now, you’ll see newly planted witch hazel, dogwood, serviceberry, redbud, fringe tree, black gum, viburnums, and many more.  Since the white pin flags are still by many plants, you can answer your own question as to what they are.  Also note the presence of water bags to get the young trees through our summer.

newly planted dogwood tree with it's life saving watering bag

Look for new plantings in the fall. If you have questions, contact the Planting Supervisors Lois Barb at 703-228-7980.

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We Are All Stewards of Trees

Posted on March 29, 2012 by
Lyon Park Volunteers

Bill Anhut is in the far left of the photo with other Lyon Park stewards of trees. Patrick Wegeng, Arlington County PRCR staff in charge of the program is in the center, on the truck, smiling.

Our mature trees are a community amenity, enhancing property values by making our neighborhood highly desirable.  I believe all of us have a duty to be tree stewards during our short time on the planet.  Those of us lucky enough to share our yards with these long-time residents of our neighborhoods have a duty to care for, nurture and prolong the lives of these gifts of nature.  Our list of to do’s is short.  Mature trees are very resilient. All we need to do is (1) protect their roots (2) structurally prune branches to promote outward growth and allow wind to pass through the tree’s crown and (3) be vigilant to protect the tree from invading pests such as insects and English Ivy. 

 Given our relatively small land parcels, tree maintenance cooperation among neighbors is necessary.  If a tree’s trunk lies completely within your property line, the tree’s maintenance is your responsibility.  Trees straddling property lines become the shared responsibility of each owner.  Neighbors should periodically communicate with each other about the maintenance of their trees and freely express any concerns or fears they have for the existing condition of a border tree.  Coordinated action is always best to maintain cordial relations with neighbors, however a neighbor has the legal right to trim branches of your tree if they hang over the property line as well as trim encroaching roots.  (However the neighbor may not damage the tree). Continue reading →

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Arlington Tree Canopy Fund LOI: April 13, 2012

Posted on March 24, 2012 by
Sapling planted in backyard

Planted tees are 2" caliper and 6 feet tall. This oak will provide great shade in a few years.

If you are a resident of Arlington, you have a great opportunity to get native canopy trees planted in your neighborhood.  This program is only for planting on private property (grounds of private houses, apartment buildings, condominiums, churches, etc.) and not on public property such as street trees, public schools, military or government grounds.    This is a group project; you need to notify ACE of your interest in coordinating a group application by April 13. See link below to send a Letter of Intent.

Your role as a group coordinator is to solicit neighbors interested in tree planting through promotions in local newsletters, listserves, or knocking on doors when you see a spot that needs a tree.  Advisors from TreeStewards and other knowledgeable people will assist you in deciding which tree species would be best for a given location.  Groups have until June 8, 2012 to prepare their application.

All of the information you need to start planning is on the ACE website at: http://arlingtonenvironment.ipage.com/community-action/tree-canopy/

Tree planted by tree crew

Tree saplings are professionally planted by a knowledgeable local tree service. All you provide is the water!

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Trees Saved from Choking Hazard: Campaign Blasts Off

Posted on March 13, 2012 by

Our trees add value to our properties and quality to our lives. That is why we’ve invested so much time and money into landscaping, nurturing and maintaining our trees and gardens. The investment is worth it. Unfortunately, what looks like a lovely little green plant can actually strangle those trees, and cause mature trees to fall down during storms. English ivy is a treat to that investment. Thankfully, it is a beatable one.

Sixty volunteers are now trained and ready to teach others how to beat English ivy and save the trees. They are equipped with education materials to share with homeowners,  have slide presentations to give at civic associations, and materials for exhibit booths at farmers markets and festivals.  You can learn what they know by clicking on the tab above “Take Ivy Off Trees”.

You will find details on the 3 Simple Steps to save your own trees from ivy. You can also join the campaign by requesting a speaker for your group or a volunteer to demonstrate to others how to remove the ivy by emailing info@TreeStewards.org.

Join us in making all trees safe from the choking hazard of English ivy! We encourage you to download and adapt the flyer, slide presentation, photos, etc. in whatever way is best to save the trees in your community.

Posted in Advocacy, Community Service, Tree Care | Tagged ,