A warm, dry winter means thirsty trees

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN KINDRA GOERTZEN
Due to an unseasonably warm and dry winter, trees, lawns and shrubs may be in need of some extra moisture.

Sharon Boese, member of the Hillsboro Tree Board and owner of The Garden Center, is encouraging homeowners to consider watering trees and other landscape vegetation.

“First, anything that has been newly planted would be important to water,” Boese said. “Then it would be beneficial to water anything because of the warm dry winter we are having.”

With the lack of snow, plus the warmer temperatures this winter, Boese said a plant’s roots will continue to grow and need additional nourishment in the form of moisture.

Boese said without water, fall-established lawns, young trees and shrubs are most likely to suffer come spring.

“Those planted in the fall didn’t get a lot of moisture before winter set in,” she said.

This is the time of year most people stop thinking about watering due to the cooler temperatures, but it is still needed.

While the exact amount of water needed by typical landscaping varies by size, age and type of plant, Boese recommended giving all a good soaking-and frequently.

“For trees, I would recommend letting the water hose run slowly to soak in,” said Boese. “Let it run until it’s saturated the ground about 18 inches.”

Plants may be watered anytime the temperature is above freezing and the soil is not frozen, she said.

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