Thanks to funding from The Wortham Foundation and other donors, we have funding available to prepare an emergency drought relief plan and will continue implementation into 2012. In order to make the most efficient use of donor funds and maximize leverage, we moved quickly to pull together very productive meetings with experts in the field, and several of our non-profit partners. With the aid of Texas Forest Service, Trees for Houston, other green non-profits and the City of Houston Foresters, we have received input on best practices to deal with the challenges at-hand.
Houston’s climate has been changing over the last 3 years moving from a generally wet climate at approximately 45” of annual rainfall to less than 20” of annual rainfall. As a result, many of our non-irrigated trees and groundcover have been under stress for that period of time. With the recent summer of record high and sustained heat, much of our stressed vegetation has moved into serious decline and many have died. Unfortunately, much of that decline and death is not yet apparent to the untrained eye and we will continue to see increased loss of our tree cover over the next several years.
As a result, we have concluded that the best way to utilize donor funding is in three major categories:
1. Triage – Deep-root remediation and 1-time watering is being undertaken on as many priority areas as possible. This application involves a one-time watering and root remediation program for existing trees. The cost varies between $30 and $50 per tree. The benefits are a 4-5 year residual enhancement of water retention in the soil and a significant increase of transfer of water from the soil into the tree body and foliage. This program was developed in close conjunction with Dr. Roger Funk, widely regarded as the leading plant physiologist in North America. The technology has been proven in both the laboratory and in large scale agricultural applications. Watering the treated trees immediately after winter dormancy will greatly increase the efficacy of the treatment.
2. Early Spring Reserve – Setting a reserve for early spring watering when the vegetation will be awakening. The most crucial period for trees that are drought-stressed is roughly March through May. At this time, as they emerge from dormancy and begin to produce large amounts of carbohydrates, hydration is essential for their survival. Root watering on larger trees and surface watering on smaller trees will greatly enhance the efficacy of the previous winter’s root treatment, thereby saving a larger number of trees.
3. Implement More Sustainable Landscape – Preparing for the future of an estimated long-term drought by gathering replacement plantings (nurseries and other) for smart replanting in late winter, by supporting long term forest management in Memorial Park, and by working with experts to create a set of practical guidelines/lists for sustainable trees and grasses for the greater Houston area.
Assistance with Forester/Arborist Conservation Director for Memorial Park – Given the financial and administrative limitations of the city in relation to the scale of the problem, a forestry professional with the requisite skill set can expedite the removal or salvage of dead trees while paving the way for a much quicker and smarter replanting plan for what is arguably our most visible forest/park.
Replanting – It is preferable to begin replanting, or at least purchasing the replanting stock, as soon as possible. Smaller, recently planted material is easier to water, requires modest amounts of water, and will be established within a few years, providing a head start to mitigating some of the urban tree loss. Both Trees For Houston and the Texas Forest Service are endorsing this approach. All new plantings will incorporate the root remediation solution into the root ball to increase sustainability.
Simple publication - Guideline/list for sustainable trees and grasses – Both within the forestry community and the public at large, there is a need and demand for a concise guideline for sustainable planting. With modest funding, we can produce a very functional publication providing specific information on desirable flora, planting context, technical data, and bibliographical resources for detailed research needs. |
