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neighbors need to apply fifteen gallons of water just once a week to the <br /> entire mulched planting area, to encourage new roots to develop throughout the <br /> planting area, rather than right near the trunk. When watering, a gentle <br /> spray over a period of several hours, or even overnight,is preferable to <br /> throwing 10 six -quart bucketsful on the site. And when watering, do not <br /> disturb the mulch or soil, as you could be breaking off tender young roots! <br /> Stakes and ties should be removed at the end of the first growing season, to <br /> encourage the tree to develop a strong trunk. To ensure proper development of <br /> their canopy, the trees receive their first corrective pruning the winter <br /> after they were planted. The Project Leader and a corps of citizen volun- <br /> teers can do the pruning for the first years, while the trees are small, after <br /> which the City tree crews can assume the task. <br /> No matter how well we care for our new trees, it is always possible that one <br /> may die or simply fail to thrive. The locations of these trees need to be <br /> reported to the City's NeighborWoods Coordinator, who will ensure that they <br /> are replaced during the next planting season. A far more difficult problem to <br /> have to deal with, though, is occasional vandalism. Most vandalism of new <br /> trees is random, so if the damage is repaired quickly, it helps discourage <br /> additional vandalism. <br /> V. THE FUTURE OF NEIGHBORWOODS <br /> Of utmost importance to the continued success of the NeighborWoods program is <br /> maintaining the enthusiasm that initially brings people together to carry out <br /> a particular planting project. This responsibility lies largely with the <br /> NeighborWoods Coordinator, who oversees the program and supervises individual <br /> projects. Monthly phone contact with the Project Leaders and an occasional <br /> pot -luck can help ensure that the energy that went into Planting Day continues <br /> on throughout the lives of the new trees. <br /> Because so much work is involved in any individual project, particularly in <br /> the weeks leading up to the planting, people need to get together once in a <br /> while just to relax and talk about trees or whatever. Special tours and <br /> workshops for Project Leaders and other volunteers are a good way to maintain <br /> interest. Winter is a good time for a workshop on pruning. Spring is an <br /> appropriate time to organize a tour of some of the more established plantings. <br /> And summer is a wonderful season to just get everyone together in a local park <br /> and have a good time! <br /> There are a few items that would help improve the visibility of the Neighbor - <br /> Woods program while educating the community at large about trees and their <br /> care. A re- usable banner to string up at the headquarters or meeting site on <br /> Planting Day would be helpful. Removable signs for participating vehicles <br /> (both City- and privately- owned) would ensure a greater degree of safety for <br /> participants, and let passersby know what is going on. Also, a series of <br /> brochures could be developed that would describe the program, give people <br /> detailed instructions on the care of new trees (especially how to water, which <br /> remains a mystery for many people), and the like. <br /> 12 <br />