Residents Encouraged to Partner with City to Protect Urban Forest

(Washington, DC) Emeka Moneme, Director of the District Department
of Transportation (DDOT), today encouraged District residents to
join DDOT in the watering of young trees.

Last planting season - October to April - DDOT planted a total of
roughly 4,500 trees across the District, many of them young street
trees along sidewalks.

During long, hot summers DDOT encourages residents who have young
trees along their sidewalks to water trees regularly.

DDOT's Urban Forestry Administration recently implemented a brochure
program to distribute information to residents where young trees are
planted. Residents who live near a young street tree receive a door
flier asking them to help water the newly-plated tree.

"Our majestic tree canopy is one of the greatest things about living
in the nation's capital," said Moneme. "As we expand our canopy it's
important for residents to partner with us during hot, dry weather
and help water young trees. You shovel your sidewalk in the winter -
so please also water your young street tree in the hot summer."

DDOT oversees 144,000 city street trees through its Urban Forestry
Administration. UFA has 12 arborists on staff at present - more than
any time in the city's history. The arborists oversee planting,
pruning, inspection of the trees and oversee injection of Elms to
protect from disease. They also help oversee tree protection during
road construction projects.

DDOT's Chief Forester John P. Thomas reminded residents who have a
young tree near their sidewalk to help out by watering it with 5-10
gallons of water every 7-10 days when it's not raining. Resume
watering when new leaves appear in the spring. And residents can
skip the watering when it rains.

"Street trees usually take two years to establish themselves, which
means they need care during their youth," said Thomas. "This summer,
we are reaching out to engage residents about how they can be our
partners. Trees that perish during the summer are covered under a
replacement program but we never like to see a street tree die."

For more information on UFA and to learn about the benefits of an
urban forest, please visit: http://trees.ddot.dc.gov

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