NEWS RELEASE: City of Cheyenne
CHEYENNE : The City of Cheyenne Urban Forestry Division encourages property owners to give trees and shrubs some much needed water, no matter the age. With temperatures expected to reach the mid-50s this weekend, this would be a good time to water.
"Cheyenne is more than six inches below in precipitation for this time of year compared to normal which means our trees and shrubs are stressed from a dry summer and fall," said Lisa Olson, urban forester. "This would be a good weekend to make sure your trees and shrubs have enough water heading into the winter months."
Winter survival of trees and shrubs depends to a large degree on ample soil moisture levels throughout the year. This is also true during the winter months. Even though all trees are in a semi-dormant state, water needs to be applied to insure the trees have taken up sufficient amounts of moisture to prevent stress related to tree desiccation, that is, water loss in the winter.
Dry winter winds can cause water loss through the leaves on evergreens and the branches on deciduous trees to the point of causing significant limb die back or entire tree mortality, according to Olson.
Because of the lack of moisture this fall, pick a warm day and water early in the day around the drip line of the tree. (See picture below). Do not water at the tree's trunk, which could freeze causing damage to the tree. Water at least once or twice per month. Apply 10 gallons of water for each one-inch of trunk diameter.
For more information, visit the Urban Forestry website at www.cheyennetrees.com.
## – The City of Cheyenne Urban Forestry Division encourages property owners to give trees and shrubs some much needed water, no matter the age. With temperatures expected to reach the mid-50s this weekend, this would be a good time to water.
**(See attached photo) Apply water or allow water to soak into the soil in the watering zone to a depth of 6-8 inches. Water inside the dripline halfway to the trunk. Water outside the drip line the same distance as inside.
