Surrey residents encouraged to water trees responsibly during the current lawn watering restrictions

Surrey, B.C. –  With the continued dry and warm weather, the City of Surrey is encouraging residents to help water street trees. While Stage 1 seasonal lawn watering restrictions are now in effect, watering trees, shrubs, and flowers is still permitted. You may use a sprinkler in the morning or water by hand or with drip irrigation at any time.

The city is home to 86,000 street trees and watering during warm dry weather is vital for their survival. While City staff dedicate their efforts to newly planted trees, residents can help by watering the mature trees along their streets.

The most effective way to water an older tree is at its drip line—the area on the ground directly beneath the outer edges of its branches. Trees benefit most from slow watering, which allows their roots to absorb water efficiently. Residents can help by using a soaker hose around the drip line or a large bucket with small holes drilled in the bottom. Simply fill the bucket with water, place it at the drip line, allow the water to drain slowly, and repeat this process in several spots around the tree’s drip line. Ideally, trees should be watered twice a week.

Caring for trees is essential to maintaining a healthy and vibrant community. Trees play a critical role in improving air and water quality, providing wildlife habitats, preventing soil erosion, and reducing stormwater flooding. They also help cool urban areas by providing shade and mitigating the urban heat island effect. The tree watering program is one of the many ways the City of Surrey is working to protect its urban forest.

The City of Surrey is offering free tree watering buckets with pre-drilled holes to interested residents. To request a free bucket to water a City tree, please call 604-501-5050.

For more information on keeping trees healthy, visit surrey.ca/trees.