THE Arboricultural Association, London Tree Officers Association (LTOA), Municipal Tree Officers Association (MTOA) and the Association of Tree Officers (ATO) have launched a campaign to ensure that newly planted trees are watered regularly over the summer months.

The dry weather which much of the UK experienced during April raised the question about how trees might be affected by COVID-19 if those people who ordinarily water them are no longer able to do so.

Many local authorities and community groups have developed their own labels for trees to encourage residents to water them, but the Association felt there was a need for more generic material which would be used by residents, community groups and local authorities throughout the country if they did not have the time or resources to produce their own.

This collaborative project has resulted in an information poster and watering tags which can be printed at home and affixed to tree stakes or tied to the tree.

Arboricultural Association technical director John Parker said: “It has been great to work together with the three tree officer groups on this important new campaign which helps to highlight the fact that young tree maintenance is just as important as planting.”

The poster and tags are free to download and can be found at 
www.trees.org.uk/watering.

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