The greater Washington, D.C. region is on the verge of a drought, and the Glen’s common area trees and shrubs need your help getting water. Younger, less mature trees and shrubs are especially vulnerable, but mature trees may need a good soak as well. Here are guidelines provided by the Virginia Cooperative Extension’s office located in the Fairlington Community Center:

• If you don’t have a hose, the Glen has several long hoses that can be lent to residents. Email glenlandscaping@gmail.com.
• ‘Low and slow’ works best (just like in barbecue). The hose should be set at a slow trickle to allow water to go deep into the soil and spread over a broader area. A tree’s roots can grow deep and wide, often growing beyond the drip line of the branches.
• An overnight soak with a very low trickle from the hose is recommended when possible.
• Smaller, younger trees may need several long (2-4 hour) watering sessions per week during this weather. Alternatively, one or maybe two overnight ‘low and slow’ watering sessions over a week should suffice.
• Mature trees can get by with one long watering every two or three weeks.
• If possible, start with the hose watering at the base of the tree and move it further from the base later on, to allow water to spread over a broader area of the roots.
• If you see a tree in obvious distress, email glenlandscaping@gmail.com.