City launches Adopt-a-Tree pilot project

Medicine Hat – The City of Medicine Hat is encouraging residents to adopt-a-tree as part of a pilot program to promote watering boulevard trees.

“Our boulevard trees weather difficult growing conditions and yet provide residents with so many benefits,” said Dave Genio, Manager of Parks with the City of Medicine Hat. “We see just how much residents care about trees. This program is meant to get everyone involved in caring for them so they continue to grow and thrive, wherever they’re planted.”

The adopt-a-tree pilot project asks participants to water their boulevard trees several times a week through until the end of September. 

“With regular watering, we can ensure our trees are getting the nutrients they need,” said Jeff Quinlan, Parks and Recreation Technician with the City of Medicine Hat. “Effective watering greatly benefits our trees by increasing resilience to pests and providing years of benefits for future generations of our city.”

The pilot program will be open to 200 residents to take part. To sign up, residents are asked to fill out an online form with their name, address, yard landscape type, as well as the number of public trees they would like to adopt in front or behind their home.

“Those who have entered the program will be asked to provide their trees with an amount of water appropriate to the trees age and size. With effective watering methods, residents in the program should only notice a small increase in water use when reviewing utility bills,” said Genio.

For signing up, households will qualify for either a free water bag, a discounted soaker hose, or a discounted rain barrel specific based on the size of tree and the yard landscape type. Qualified participants will be able to pick up or purchase the qualified items from the Parks & Recreation Department at 88 Kipling Street SE beginning Monday, August 9 at 8 a.m.

“We may be used to our hot and dry summers, but these trees endure road salts, compaction and can be impacted by area construction. They often have limited soil to grow in and do so with minimal water,” Quinlan added. “It’s easy to take our trees for granted, but it’s important we remember that they provide oxygen, help to moderate air temperature, provide habitat to birds and wildlife, and offer immeasurable beauty along with so many more benefits to our city.”

Learn more about the pilot program.

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