The City of Cambridge is asking residents and local businesses to help maintain its healthy urban forest, which includes trees on streets, in parks, on private property and on campuses. The recent extreme heat and current drought have significantly stressed many new and mature trees throughout the city. These trees provide essential shade, purify the air and support a living ecosystem.
“The most important thing people can do is help out by watering the trees near their homes,” said Urban Forestry Public Works Superintendent Andrew Putnam. “It’s the most sustainable way to water, and we’re asking all residents and businesses who are able to do their part by stuffing a Gator bag on a tree or soaking soil in a tree well to proximity.”
The City’s Urban Forestry Division is responsible for the planting, watering and maintenance of all trees on City property, and teams have deployed proactive strategies. Currently, the staff uses three water tankers to water the trees on the streets of the city from early morning until evening. The Parks Division, along with the Cambridge Water Department, also help with watering, and the city’s Water-by-Bike staff waters the trees 8 hours a day. The City’s tree planting contractor also uses multiple trucks to water newly planted street trees that are two years old and younger, six days a week.
“Protecting our urban forest is a top priority for the city, and our residents and businesses can play a vital role in that effort by helping us water street trees adjacent to their property,” said Owen O’Riordan, acting city manager. “While we are in a Critical Level 3 Drought, the amount of water we are asking residents to supply to street trees is insignificant in terms of the impact of the drought on our water supply.”
Given the size of the city’s urban forest, the city alone cannot water all the trees. In drought conditions like this, residents and businesses can play a vital role in protecting street trees in their neighborhoods by watering the trees:
- Generally, street trees need about 20 gallons of water per week from May through October.
- However, in hot and dry conditions, it is recommended that the trees be watered at least 2-3 times per week.
- Many young trees can be easily watered by filling the green Gator bag attached to the tree with 20 gallons of water using a garden hose or container to fill the bag.
- Water can be poured slowly onto the base of the tree directly if it does not have a Gator Bag or is well established.
- Compacted soil reduces the ability of water to infiltrate the soil and can lead to runoff.
- Residents can gently loosen the soil with a trowel in such situations so that water can better penetrate the soil.
- If a tree is small enough and does not have a Gator bag, residents can go to the DPW at 147 Hampshire St and get a Gator bag from reception to attach to the tree to help with watering.
- Residents who see a tree in distress should report it via SeeClickFix so that DPW can try to assess and/or water the tree.
Additionally, residents are encouraged to participate in the Cambridge Urban Forest Friends programme. City crews can’t get to every tree far enough in the warmer months to water, mulch, and weed all the new and young trees in the city. The public’s help to ensure these trees get off to a good start is needed. Members of the public, groups or organizations looking for a day-long volunteering opportunity can contact Cambridgetrees@cambridgema.gov.
On July 21, 2022, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Bethany Card said Cambridge’s drought level had risen to Critical Level 3 Drought, and the Cambridge Water Board is actively monitoring Cambridge drought condition.
Significant drought conditions require close coordination between local, state, and federal agencies, with substantial emphasis on water conservation and tighter watering restrictions. Watering street trees is an acceptable use for outdoor watering, as protecting the tree canopy is a key strategy in the City’s climate change mitigation efforts.
As a reminder, the Cambridge Water Department strongly recommends the following water conservation tips:
- Stop or minimize unnecessary outdoor watering (watering street trees is an acceptable use);
- Look and listen to see if you have water leaks, checking the toilet often;
- Never let the water run while you are washing dishes, brushing your teeth or washing your hands;
- Flush the toilet only when needed.
Learn more about water conservation at https://www.cambridgema.gov/Water/administration/droughtstatusandwaterconservation/waterconservation