THE LEAFLET

We literally experienced the hottest July on record this summer in the DMV, so needless to say the Dog Days of summer are here and while the humidity has broken (for now), seasoned District residents know they aren’t over yet. Here are a few simple tips to get your trees ready for the hot summer months:

1. Take our 25 To Stay Alive Pledge to water trees on and surrounding your property and we’ll send you a complimentary rain gauge to help you determine when to water and how much.
2. Follow our weekly watering alerts, published every Monday in the Leaflet and on our homepage, Facebook and Twitter so you know whether or not you should water your young trees.
3. Make watering easy by utilizing slow-release watering bags. They’re available for purchase in our online shop for $15 each and take all the stress out of watering your young trees.
4. Follow the 3-3-3 rule for mulching around your tree – stacking the mulch higher around the trunk can deprive a tree of air, water, and nutrients it needs to develop and grow and increases its vulnerability to pests and diseases.
5. Check trunk guards to ensure that they’re installed properly. Weed whackers and lawnmowers can cause severe damage to a tree’s circulation system if the trunk is left unguarded. Trunk guards are available for purchase on our online shop for $3 each.
6. If you’re considering planting trees in the fall, read up on our homeowner planting programs to see how we can help you save money and choose the perfect tree for your space.

Want to know more? We offer further resources in the How-To section of our website, which includes additional tree care tips and video tutorials.