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FROM THE EDITOR Where's the Water? As I write this (at the beginning of July), summer is technically only 1030 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 230, Park Ridge, IL 60068 www.arborage.com jkmitta@m2media360.com a few weeks old, and most of the country is already dealing with drought-like conditions. The dry summer has come fresh on the heels of an unusually mild winter and an early (i.e., warm) spring. And although most people are focused on watering their lawns and flower beds, established trees have also been feeling the effects of this year's heat. According to Brandon Gallagher Watson, director of communica- tions at Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements, after several seasons of drought, trees are getting more chronically stressed. "We're getting several years in a row where they are not able to thrive like they ought to in the summer," he said. He added that stressed trees lead to opportunistic insects and Integrated Content Team Executive Vice President Charles Forman Associate Publisher, Editor John Kmitta Production Team Art Director Adam Lane Production Manager Karen Kalinyak M2MEDIA360 President/CEO Marion Minor tree diseases that move in to take advantage. "That's why educating customers about how to properly water trees is huge," he said. This year's weather is causing the "worst drought symptoms I have Vice President, Finance and Operations Gerald Winkel Senior Vice President, Audience Development Joanne Juda-Prainito Vice President, observed in my professional career," said Kris Bachtell, vice president of collections and facilities for The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Ill. "Plants and trees are so stressed that they not might make it through the drought without some help." Newly planted trees should be checked more frequently. Water into the root ball area and surrounding area deeply. This will encourage new roots to grow deeper into the soil. Plants should receive up to 1 inch of water weekly. Also, encourage your customers to water large, established trees every two to three weeks in dry periods. Drought-sensitive trees and plants likely showing the effects of Operations and Human Resources Mary Jo Tomei Direct Mail List Sales Cheryl Naughton, 678-292-6054, fax 360-294-6054 e-mail cnaughton@m2media360.com Reprint Service Cheryl Naughton, 678-292-6054, fax 360-294-6054 e-mail cnaughton@m2media360.com reduced moisture include magnolias, Japanese maples, dogwoods, beeches, larches, tulip trees and birches. Check the soil's moisture using either a soil probe or by placing your finger in the soil. If it is dry and hard, watering is appropriate. If there is some moisture, continue to monitor the soil's moisture level. The Arboretum also recommends watering within the drip line of a For subscription inquiries and customer service questions please call: 845-856-2229; 845-856-5822 (fax) ARBOR AGE SALES TERRITORIES Charles Forman, Executive Vice President tree, from the trunk out to the end of the branches, to reach the roots most effectively. The objective is to keep roots moist but not wet. Avoid frequent light watering. Let a hose run slowly at the drip line of the tree, moving it around occasionally. If using a sprinkler system, place a container nearby and let it fill 1 to 2 inches. Also, plastic, water- filled vessels that envelope a tree trunk provide a slow drip to the root system and are a good way to keep younger trees well watered. Remember to keep a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch around a tree to moderate soil temperature and retain moisture (but do not let it touch the trunk or stems). As Watson points out, you can't go around watering your client's trees for them, but you can educate them about dealing with drought, and, as a result, help them maintain the health of their trees. John Kmitta Associate Publisher, Editor 847-720-5613 jkmitta@m2media360.com 6 Arbor Age / July/August 2012 www.arborage.com about weather issues and a variety of other tree health care topics as part of Green Media's latest podcast. To listen to the full interview, visit www.ArborAge.com and click on the "Internet Broadcast" link in the left-hand navigation bar. Note: I recently spoke with Watson Advertising Account Managers ph: 213-596-7220 fax: 213-624-0997 gdatz@m2media360.com 626 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500 Los Angeles, CA 90017 Glenn Datz 626 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 500 Los Angeles, CA 90017 213-596-7226 Bruce Loria bloria@m2media360.com 16267 W. 14 Mile Rd., Ste. 202 Beverly Hills, MI 48025 248-530-0300 Leslie Palmer lpalmer@m2media360.com Publisher's Notice: We assume no responsibility for the validity of advertising claims in connection with items appearing in Arbor Age. Reader Service Numbers are given to facilitate further inquiry. Commercial product names are used for the convenience of the reader. Mention of a commercial product does not imply endorsement by Arbor Age or Bev-Al Communications, or preference over similar products not mentioned. 360 1030 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 230, Park Ridge, IL 60068