Remember to Water Your Trees!

October is sometimes a very hot and dry month in Johannesburg. Where are the rains?  Well, we are going into a dry early season caused by, yes Signor El Nino......

Please remember to water your trees especially large established trees, which have all, but flushed the new seasons' regalia, and are looking beautiful.  Trees roots extend 3 to 5 times the trees' height.  A 10 meter (33 foot) tree will have roots extending between 30 and 50 meters in some cases.  Give your trees about the equivalent of 25 mm (1 inch) of rain per week in the summer, AND IN WINTER about 20 mm (3/4 inch). 

Dormant trees need moist roots so that they don't desiccate in the dry season. Conifers (Trees which produce a seed cone) or evergreen trees like the Mexican Evergreen Oak need regular watering during the winter.   NO TREE EVEN PALMS can live on no water.

How do you know if you must water?
Pick up some soil in your hands does it feel moist or dry? 
If moist can you squeeze water from it or does soil fall through your fingers?
Soil that is moist should not be exude water when squeezed.  If the soil falls through your fingers then it is too dry.  Go and practice and use your "Kop", don't drown or dry out your trees.

The light pink roots are from the Eugenia in the distance, about 13 meters away.  The tree was 5 meters tall and with a canopy 5 meters wide.  These roots still extended another 3 meters beyond that position.

Who is the TREE GURU?

"A Love Affair with Trees will never end in Heartbreak"

John Parker is South Africa’s Tree Guru, an Australian qualified and South African experienced Arborist specialising in the scientific care and the management of trees. He has practiced arboriculture since 1989 and has more than two decades’ experience as a commercial Arborist.

John is recognised as a qualified Arborist and a Trainer, Moderator and Assessor under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), he studied in Australia where Arboriculture is a recognised trade requiring certification.

As a trainer in Arboriculture, John aims to promote and develop arboriculture skills in South Africa where training in this field is limited.To find out more about arboriculture courses offered by the Tree Guru as well as SAQA-accredited courses, go to www.treeguru.co.za