By Heather Jensen Weekend Anchor/Reporter
News 3 On Your Side
Things will be different next year in Columbus.News 3 On Your Side
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Stumble It!Trees Columbus is dedicated to planting, preserving, and protecting trees. The organization plants 80 to 200 trees a year, starting in January.
But the drought has forced them to change their approach.
“This year, we decided to take the opportunity to take some progressive steps in our tree follow up, maintenance, and care,” says Executive Director Dorothy McDaniel.
McDaniel admits some of last year's plants were not spared the wrath of drought. This year, Trees Columbus is looking at drought-resistant species, as well as other ways to keep those species alive.
“One is rainwater harvesting. Basically, that's a rain barrel to capture water that falls during rain storms and store it,” she says.
Homeowners can do the same by putting a bucket under gutter spouts, catching the runoff, and watering plants.
The second strategy is just as easy.
“Start capturing that water that we get from your A/C unit, that air conditioning condensate,” says McDaniel.
The water is clean and suitable for watering trees.
“Trees are natural air conditioners. They provide shade, lower the temperature, which helps prevent some of that evaporation,” McDaniel says. “You don't lose as much water from the air.”
McDaniel hopes the action of Trees Columbus will encourage others to take action to save their own trees, so next year will be different.
The plans of Tree Columbus are in-line with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division's waterSmart program.
News 3 is On Your Side with more landscape tips to get your plants through the drought.
In addition to using other water sources, the Georgia EPD waterSmart program recommends avoiding plant stress including fertilizer. If you can't water the plant, the fertilizer won't work.
It also helps to prioritize plants. Give high priority to trees or shrubs that would be impossible to replace.
And don't forget to mulch. This keeps the soil cool, combats weeds, and conserves water.
For more Georgia EPD waterSmart tips, log onto the Conserve Water Georgia website.