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/O -/7 -9/ <br /> Trees need water <br /> Because of this year's unusually long <br /> drought and unseasonably warm weather, <br /> many of our community's trees are in dire <br /> need of supplemental water. <br /> Although young trees require frequent wa- <br /> tering during the growing season until they are <br /> established, it is our older trees that often suf- <br /> fer the most at these times, as we tend to think <br /> that they are "old enough to take care of them- <br /> selves." But older, larger trees transpire enor- <br /> mous quantities of water. Their needs may not <br /> be met during severe droughts, especially in <br /> urban areas where temperatures are higher <br /> and water percolation is sometimes impeded <br /> by paved surfaces. <br /> Whether you have young or old trees on <br /> your own property or they are growing in the <br /> public right -of -way in front of your property, <br /> do them and your community a big favor by <br /> irrigating the entire root zone (that is, the area <br /> shaded by the tree's canopy if the sun were <br /> directly overhead) for a period of several <br /> hours or overnight. Very dry soils may at first <br /> have difficulty absorbing the water. so apply it <br /> gently until the ground becomes more absorp- <br /> tive. <br /> Application of 100 gallons of water for a <br /> Large tree costs less than a dime. It is a small <br /> price to pay for the host of important benefits <br /> that trees provide to our community. <br /> DENNIS LUECK <br /> Urban forester and <br /> horticulturist <br /> Eugene <br />