Residents asked to help water trees

BROOKINGS – While you’re out watering your lawn, pay special attention to your newly planted trees, Brookings Parks and Forestry advises.

Due to the continuing heat wave, and more important, the lack of rain this summer, the city’s forestry team is asking residents to water recently planted trees.

Residents who have planted trees or those who have had city trees planted in their boulevards within the past three years are being encouraged to water them.

Parks and Forestry suggests twice-a-week watering, with 15 to 20 gallons of water per tree each time you water.

Newly planted trees are particularly susceptible to stress during this drought period, said Peter Colson, director of Brookings Parks, Recreation and Forestry.