Arboriculture

Like much of the midwest, Chicago has been suffering from a hot, dry June. Arborists and city authorities there are urging homeowners to water trees but to forget about the grass. Early summer droughts are bad for trees, especially newly planted saplings that lack an adequate root system. By using limited water resources to keep trees healthy, survival and growth in the following years is more likely. Grass can enter a resting state during drought and will recover once cooler wet weather returns. Trees that lose leaves and fine roots in early summer may not fully recover and are more susceptible to future stresses.

Chicago is also deploying fire boats along the waterfront and Chicago River to soak young trees.