Just Trees

The eight months from October 2010 through May 2011 have been the driest eight-month period on record for Texas since 1895. Rainfall in Austin was 38 percent of normal. We enter the summer season in an “exceptional drought.” Homeowners need to be on the defensive when it comes to saving their trees.

Temperatures have hit triple digits earlier than usual this year, with three 100+-degree days in Austin in May. With little water coming in, the region's two water supply reservoirs, lakes Travis and Buchanan, together are about 60 percent full, with about 1.2 million acre-feet in combined storage.

Mulch can help protect the root systems of your trees by keeping water in the soil. Remember to water your trees whenever the soil is dry to the touch. Yes, water bills will go up but this can keep your tree alive through the dry season. I have many friends opting to abandon their plants and gardens during this time and choosing instead to water their trees. Where do you get more bang for your buck?

Because soil is parched, it will take about 5 to 6 inches of rain in the basin to begin to produce significant runoff. That amount of rain appears highly unlikely this summer, unless a tropical storm brings rainfall to the region. Odd that one region’s hurricane could be another’s hope for survival.

Stay cool, Austin families! This weekend, like most, you can find us at Deep Eddy Pool!

Source: http://www.lcra.org/water/drought/index.html