As drought persists and the region and state face watering restrictions, City of Sacramento staff are reminding residents to keep their trees healthy.
“Trees should be watered separately from lawns, which are subject to the City’s two-day-per-week watering schedule,” said William Granger, a conservation coordinator with the City’s Department of Utilities.
From March 1 to Oct. 31, lawns and landscapes can be watered only twice a week — a seasonal schedule the City has had since 2017.
But Granger said the City encourages people to to make tree-watering a priority.
“We have to keep our city of trees healthy through the drought. Those don’t come back as easily or quickly as lawns do,” he said.
Here are some ways to keep trees healthy despite watering restrictions:
- Use a moisture meter to check the soil before watering
- Water trees separately using a “soaker” hose or drip irrigation and soak 12 to 18 inches below the soil surface
- Add mulch to prevent evaporation and protect roots from heat
People can find many more resources for tree care at the Sacramento Tree Foundation.
The City of Sacramento since August 2021 has been in a “water alert,” which restricts car washing, doubles fines for wasting water and asks people to reduce water use by 20 percent.