Adopt-a-Tree Program

A boulevard is a challenging environment for a tree to grow in.

It may not seem obvious, but these trees face several obstacles in their life. Hardscaping (asphalt, concrete, bricks) limit water penetration to a tree’s root system, and a general lack of soil volume means that street trees cannot ‘bank’ as much soil moisture between rainfalls.

Tree roots near sidewalks and roadways are surrounded by heavily compacted soils, making it difficult for them to absorb oxygen and nutrients. 

An adequate water supply is critical to a tree’s health, and successive years of drought can make a mature, majestic tree vulnerable to pests and diseases. 

Although trees require significant resources to maintain and keep healthy in their early years, trees provide measurable dividends in return.

Examples of this include storm water retention, carbon sequestration and oxygen production, erosion control, temperature moderation, habitat to wildlife, increased property values and overall beautification of parks and neighborhoods for recreation and cultural activities.

We are looking for your help in watering our community street trees by adopting a tree near your home. 

Trees become vulnerable to pests and diseases if their basic watering needs are not met. Insects and disease pathogens are adapted to exploit stressed trees, as they offer the path of least resistance.

By adopting a tree and watering it throughout our summer months, you are preventing pests which affect us all, either through the loss of the ecosystem services the trees provide a neighborhood, or through public taxes used to combat these pests.

Young trees have less root mass to absorb water, but also less root spread for accessing moisture in the soil.

It is imperative these trees receive enough water to establish themselves and drive their roots deep into the soil in order to reach soils which are less subject to evaporation.

Generally, trees with a trunk diameter of four (4) to six (6) inches are considered to be young. In most cases these trees are less than 20 to 25 years old. A weekly watering of three (3) to five (5) gallons will help young trees establish.

Mature trees (between 30 centimeters or 12 inches in diameter) are usually over 25 years old. These trees require approximately 10 gallons of water for each inch of trunk diameter once per week during the heat of the summer (July and August). They also require this amount a few times per month in the spring and fall.

Effective watering reduces loss of water through evaporation and run off, and in many cases allows the tree to store water in the soil around its roots.

Effective watering means water is pushed deeper into the soil profile, and used more effectively because it is available for a longer period for the tree to absorb as it needs to.

For young trees, water bags and/or soaker hoses are excellent tools for effective watering. Water bags are installed around the trees’ trunk and then filled with water. These bags mimic a drip irrigation system, slowly delivering water directly to the soil above the tree root. This water is not subject to wind evaporation or runoff because of this controlled delivery method.

A soaker hose achieves the same result, over a shorter period of time but requires the homeowner to turn on the water, where as a water bag can be monitored every few days and topped up when needed.

Medium sized (between six (6) and 12 inches in diameter) and mature trees are best watered with soaker hoses placed near the tree’s drip line, which is the area beneath the outer extent of the tree’s branches. It may not be possible to achieve this in some cases, and so for each site the aim is to get as near the drip line as possible. Water will slowly percolate into that top 20 cm of soil and moisturize the soil layer for the tree’s use.

The dripline is defined as the root area below the furthest extent of the tree’s canopy. That’s where the fibrous, water absorbing roots are. View the diagram linked below to help you find the drip line and ideal watering zone for trees.

Locating tree drip lines

By registering with the program, you will have the option to receive a photo of the public tree you are adopting along with the tree's species identification and a general condition rating of the tree's health based on a visual assessment of its live crown.

No, the City has purchased this equipment specifically for homeowners and residents involved in the Adopt-a-Tree program.  You may, however, purchase these items from many of our local stores and apply the same principles of the program.

The City has purchased this equipment specifically for homeowners and residents involved in the Adopt-a-Tree program.  You may, however, purchase these items from many of our local stores and utilize them for supplemental watering for turf and gardens.