Excessive Heat Warning

We're under an "excessive heat warning" until 10:00pm tomorrow. Note: As of Friday July 6, the excessive heat warning has been extended to 4:00PM Saturday!

The landscapers are on the property watering some of the plants. My neighbor has been watering a part of the lawn and the rose bushes as well as the trees behind our building. I've been watering the hostas in the front every other day, as well as some of the trees.

One good thing, the power at my office was finally on this morning, so it was possible to conduct some work there. ComEd reports that power has been restored to about 99% of all businesses and residences without power since Sunday.

Stay Cool!

Care of Trees during Droughts
Many people think of their lawns and other plants which brown out during water deficient weather. We don't always think of the trees. The Village of Glen Ellyn posted a succinct message about this on their website. I sent the information to the board on June 28:

Residents Reminded to Water Trees

June 27, 2012
The following message is from the Village of Glen Ellyn:

The lack of snow this winter and the scant rainfall received so far this spring has resulted in very dry soil conditions. During times of drought, trees must be given top priority over your lawn. If stress from drought does not kill a tree outright, it can set it up for a secondary disease or insect infestations in coming years. Newly planted and young trees are especially vulnerable as the root system is not well established. Trees growing within a restricted area (trees on the parkway, next to a driveway or house, etc.) and trees that have recently received root injury due to construction work are also in danger of drought injury. Supplemental watering during times of drought will help ensure long time health of your trees.

Deep watering to a depth of six inches to 12 inches below soil surface is recommended. Residents are encouraged to water slowly to get the water down to the tree roots. A general rule is to use approximately 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter each time you water or approximately one inch of water. Set a garden hose to a very slow flow. Water close to the trunk first and work your way out from there. Repeat every week during a severe drought.


Here's a link to the original article at the Glen Ellyn Patch:

  New Window> Glen Ellyn Reminder to Water Trees