Middletown makes ‘big’ effort to revive trees dying from drought

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The continuing drought has caused young trees across Middletown to become dangerously parched and even die. This browning one on High Street has a watering bag affixed to it.

The continuing drought has caused young trees across Middletown to become dangerously parched and even die.

The continuing drought has caused young trees across Middletown to become dangerously parched and even die. Shown here is one in front of the Northern Middlesex YMCA on Union Street.

A tree across the road from the Northern Middlesex YMCA on Union Street in Middletown is affected by the drought.

MIDDLETOWN — The continuing drought has caused a number of trees across the city to discolor and even die due to lack of water.

The public works department makes the rounds of those planted in the snow shelf between the sidewalk and curb twice a week, according to Director Chris Holden, who asks home and business owners to contact his department about any that appear particularly parched.

With the region experiencing low rainfall and repeated stretches of hot weather recently, it's been difficult for trees to remain hydrated.

Crews, Holden said, are making a "big effort" to water them this year in particular.

The prolonged stretches of hot and dry weather this summer has prompted some water companies and the governor to ask residents to be mindful of their water consumption.

Middletown Land Use Environmental Planner James Sipperly, who staffs the Urban Forestry Commission, said the water bags affixed to the base of the trees were set out too late in the season. These have tiny holes in them that allow the liquid to seep out slowly over a few weeks, he explained.

Public works plants a variety of street trees that can weather city conditions, including Lindens, redbuds, London planes, honey locust and cherries, Holden said.

The trees, which are planted when they are between two and a half and three inches in diameter, are expensive. Each one is about $300 in addition to the between $150 and $200 in labor costs to plant them, he explained.

They are paid for out of the Middletown Tree Fund. "We want to make sure we plant enough to keep our tree-lined streets," Holden said.

Lack of water isn't the only culprit in trees being lost to the elements and infestation. Over the past two years, it became necessary for the city to cut down a number of trees due to damage caused emerald ash borers, Holden said.

Gypsy moth caterpillars, which eat the leaves and cause heavy defoliation, can also decimate the population.

The loss of these trees has particularly affected the Forest City. In April, for the 32nd year, Middletown maintained its Tree City USA designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation.

All those planted this spring are at risk, according to Jane Harris, arborist and Urban Forestry Commission chairwoman.

About 50 trees in the North End have been particularly affected, she said.

This year's drought is worse than last year because it started earlier than usual, Harris said.

"Our new trees are suffering badly because their roots aren't established yet, and the extreme heat stresses the trees," he said.

Those who have young trees on their own property can give them up to 15 gallons of water per week, the arborist said. "Slow watering with a soaker hose or from a tree-watering bag is best, but any water at all is helpful.

"If your tree has no mulch, a two- to three-inch layer of wood chips or shredded leaves is helpful, too," she added.

Some of these trees are going into dormancy early due to conditions, so it's a good idea to even water the brown ones, Harris said.