Help For Drought Stressed Trees Encouraged

The reports about drought impacts this summer and early fall have focused on lost pasture and feed for livestock, but as North Dakota State University Extension's, Joe Zeleznik, points out, trees have also been effected by the drought and could face additional hardship this winter if proper measure aren't taken.

"Obviously, watering is the best thing we can do right now. Getting them as much water as we can either in a home landscape or more newly planted trees in a shelter belt, for example."

Watering as much as possible in advance of a freeze is extremely important to assure tree survival. Zeleznik says the rule of thumb is 10 gallons per inch in diameter. He says you can also look to water until the soil is moist to a depth of 6 to 9 inches. He says if you can't water, remove competition, mulch, and direct any snowfall toward the tree.