Expert: Give trees, lawns some extra attention during heat wave
Tips on keeping family members and pets safe through the coming heat wave have been abundant, but outdoor plants and trees need special attention during such high temperatures as well.
Summertime rain has prepared Illinois well for the days ahead, but trees and lawns can benefit from a little extra help during the next three to five days, said Jay Hayek, forestry specialist for the University of Illinois Extension.
A tree should optimally receive 10 gallons of water each day for every inch of trunk width. The water should be delivered at a slow to medium rate, requiring about 30 to 50 minutes.
The water will be more effectively delivered to the roots with a hose rather than a sprinkler, Hayek said.
“I've always been an advocate of early morning watering,” he added, though late afternoon would be the second best time.
Some experts believe fungal development is more likely after late afternoon or early evening watering, Hayek said, but a midday session is clearly the least effective option.
At his own home in Urbana, Hayek's received enough rain to avoid having to water his lawn this summer. But each individual homeowner is best suited to know whether a lawn has received the needed equivalent of a 15- to 30-minute rainfall at least once a week.
In comparison to the droughts Illinois suffered in 2011 and 2012, the heat wave of the next few days isn't something Hayek is too concerned about.
“It would be different if we'd gone through the whole month without rain,” he said.
State Climatologist Jim Angel agreed that the region around O'Hare International Airport has received plenty of rain in the past three months — even the slightly drier areas to the north in Lake and McHenry counties.
“I think soil moisture is in good shape in the region and should be able to carry any established plants and trees easily through the heat wave,” Angel said. “However, anything newly planted or in small pots may be more affected and should be watched closely.”
In the case of severe droughts, the health of a tree can be affected for three to five years afterward. There are trees that died this year whose mortality can be attributed to the droughts of four and five years ago, Hayek said.
While it's appropriate to look after one's landscaping a little more carefully during a major heat wave, Hayek cautioned homeowners against losing perspective.
“If you're going to water your plants, keep an eye on your water bill!” he joked.