Water Plea to Stop Town’s New Trees From Dying

Councillor’s plea to shops and residents

Some recently planted small street trees across Southport have already died and others are in danger of dying from thirst, a local councillor says.

Southport Town Centre Councillor Tony Dawson has asked the Council to take urgent steps to preserve the life of dozens of saplings planted only a few months ago which have suffered badly from weeks without rain.

And Councillor Dawson is asking residents and shopkeepers to join in the battle to save these street trees by watering them regularly and appropriately.

“Large trees have root networks which already stretch a considerable distance as well as going quite deep,” he says.

“But these recently planted trees have a fairly small root ball so their access to water comes from a fairly small area near the trunk.Hence they are very fragile and susceptible to drying out and dying. The single recent downpour will have helped only a little. What these trees need is regular watering.”

“I have already asked the Council to inform me of the watering regime which they apply to newly planted trees – and if they will take extra efforts given the mini drought which we are suffering. These trees each cost us all hundreds of pounds from Council funds each to buy and plant. – and there are dozens of them ”

“But these are the people’s trees, not the Council’s. We all benefit from the shade which they eventually provide and the softening of our concrete and tarmac streetscape with the deep green which they provide. So I hope that individual residents and shopkeepers with a new tree planted outside their house or business will douse the roots as often as they can within reason.”

“Given the present water restrictions, washing up water is fine for this purpose as long as it has not been contaminated with strong chemicals. If in doubt, consult the Sefton Council tree department.”