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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT size=3><STRONG>Oregon Dept. of
Forestry</STRONG><SPAN class=978582322-17072009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT size=3><SPAN class=978582322-17072009><STRONG>NEWS
RELEASE</STRONG> </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<P><FONT size=2><FONT size=3>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Major Media
Distribution<BR>July 17,
2009 <BR>09- 27 <BR>
Contact: Paul D.
Ries<BR>
503.945.7391<BR> Cynthia
Orlando<BR>
503-945-7421<BR> <BR><FONT
face="Arial Rounded MT Bold"><FONT size=5>Water trees deeply when high
temperatures hit</FONT><BR><BR></FONT>When temperatures in Oregon soar into the
90's or triple digits, it can take a toll on trees as well as people. This is
especially true if, in conjunction with high temperatures, there's been little
recent rainfall.<BR><BR>The Oregon Department of Forestry suggests a few tips
for keeping your trees healthy during times of heat stress.<BR><BR>“High summer
temperatures can be hard on trees, especially the landscape trees in our urban
areas," said Paul Ries, an urban forester with the Oregon Department of
Forestry. "Hot weather and prolonged drought can make trees more susceptible to
insect and disease problems," adds Ries.<BR><BR><FONT
face=Arial><STRONG>Symptoms of drought</STRONG></FONT><BR><BR>One of the first
signs that a deciduous tree (i.e., trees that lose their leaves in the winter)
needs water is that its leaves begin to look dull.<BR><BR>Advanced symptoms of
needing water are yellowing of leaves, wilting, and curling at the edges. Leaves
may also develop a scorched or burned look - turning brown on outside edges, or
between leaf veins. Leaves may also appear smaller than usual, drop prematurely,
or turn brown, but remain on the tree. Evergreen needles may turn yellow,
red, purple or brown.<BR><BR><FONT face=Arial><STRONG>Watering
tips</STRONG></FONT><BR><BR>During prolonged dry periods with higher
temperatures, remember the amount of water required to keep a lawn green is not
enough for a tree. Given the benefits and longevity of trees, trees should be
given higher watering priority over lawns.<BR><BR>If trees are only provided
with shallow water, every day, they're probably only getting a fraction of what
they need. Watering trees for short periods of time encourages shallow rooting,
which can lead to future health problems for the tree. To make sure your tree
gets the water it needs, saturate the soil within the drip line – that’s the
circle that could be drawn on the soil around the tree directly under the tips
of its outermost branches. Using a regular hose or a soaker hose, water deeply
and slowly – slowly is important, so the water doesn’t run-off.<BR><BR>For
conifers, water 3’ – 5’ beyond the drip line on all sides of the tree. Also, if
you have a choice, water during the cooler part of the day for all
trees.<BR><BR>Another way to water trees slowly is to put a 1/8" nail hole in
the bottom (near the edge) of a five gallon bucket. Fill the bucket with water,
and leave the slowly leaking bucket under the canopy of the tree. Do this twice
or three times per tree moving the bucket each
time.<BR> <BR><FONT
face=Arial><STRONG>Other tips: mulch can
help</STRONG></FONT></FONT></FONT></P><STRONG><FONT
face=Arial></FONT></STRONG><FONT size=2><FONT size=3>
<P>Using mulch is a helpful way to care for trees in hot or dry climates, since
mulch helps the soil below trees retain moisture and stay cool. Mulch can be
made of bark, wood chips, leaves and evergreen needles. Apply mulch within the
drip line, at a depth of four inches, leaving a six-inch space between the mulch
and tree trunk.<BR><BR>Do not plant annual flowers or other groundcovers under
the canopy of your tree. Remove lawn and replace it with a ring of mulch. Any
plants below a tree’s canopy compete with the tree’s roots for moisture and,
since they are often closer to the surface than the tree’s roots, will get any
limited water before the tree does.<BR><BR>Lastly, do you know what kinds of
trees surround your home or business? Some trees, especially fruit trees, need
extra water in a heat spell, whereas trees adapted to drier climates – like elms
and pines - need far less irrigation than other species.<BR><BR><FONT
face=Arial><STRONG>Tree care - always a good investment</STRONG></FONT></P>
<P>Trees and forests enhance quality of life in many ways, including by
providing wildlife habitat, shade, wood and other products, raising property
values, and providing clean, healthy streams.<BR><BR>Remember that proper tree
care - including deep watering of trees during hot summer months - pays big
dividends in the long run.</P>
<P>~ ~ ~</FONT><FONT size=3></FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=3>For more information about trees and tree
care</FONT>:<BR><A href="http://www.pnwisa.org">http://www.pnwisa.org</A><BR><A
href="http://www.isa-arbor.com/consumer/consumer.html">http://www.isa-arbor.com/consumer/consumer.html</A><BR><BR><FONT
size=3> About urban forestry:</FONT><BR><A
href="http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/URBAN_FORESTS/urban_forests.shtml">http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/URBAN_FORESTS/urban_forests.shtml</A><BR><A
href="http://www.oregoncommunitytrees.org">http://www.oregoncommunitytrees.org</A><BR> </P>
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