[Neighbors] Protecting Nob Hill’s Urban Forest

[Teresa DeBacker]

Hello Neighbors,
In Albuquerque’s dry climate, even mature trees need water.  This is especially true during times of drought.  Please help preserve Nob Hill’s urban forest by watering your mature trees weekly during the summer months.
How to water nature trees.  According to 505Outside<https://www.505outside.com/>, mature trees need to have water dispersed throughout the main root zone in a manner that allows the water to soak in slowly rather than run off.  Most tree roots are located within the top three feet of the soil surface.  The root parts best able to absorb water are located at the dripline of the tree; that is, the outermost edge of the tree canopy where water (like rain) drips off the leaves and onto the ground.  One-inch in-line emitter drip tubing, laid out in a spiral or concentric circles<https://www.505outside.com/2025/06/05/summer-irrigation-for-tree-health/> at the dripline of the tree, does a great job of irrigating trees in an optimal manner.
Alternatively, as described in Tree New Mexico: Tree Tips (treenm.org<https://treenm.org/>), you can set down your hose about halfway between the trunk and the dripline of the tree and allow it to dribble VERY slowly to a depth of about three feet.  If water is running off the watering site, it is dribbling too quickly.  You can test the depth of watering by pressing a 3-foot screwdriver or similar object (piece of rebar, a metal rod, etc.) and into the ground where you are watering.  The screwdriver will go into the ground only as deep as there is moisture. If it doesn’t go down at least two and a half feet, water that area longer (for more information see Tree New Mexico: Everything You Need to Know About Effective Tree Watering<https://treenm.org/2023/07/06/everything-you-need-to-know-about-effective-tree-watering/>.
What about new trees?  Young trees may need more frequent watering for the first year or so after planting. Water newly planted trees at the base, making sure to wet the entire root ball area (approximately 4-5 gallons of water).  Check soil moisture as described above.  New trees may need to be watered as often as twice a week during the first growing season. Make sure to expand the diameter of the watering zone as your tree grows.
Don’t forget mulch.  Placing four inches of wood mulch around the base of the tree or under the canopy is a tremendously effective way to hold in moisture.  As a bonus, it also breaks down and provides fertilizer for your tree.  Free mulch, which you haul yourself, can be obtained from Baca Trees (7933 Edith Blvd NE) and other tree services.  Chip Drop<https://getchipdrop.com/> is a service that connects gardeners with arborists to provide free delivery of wood mulch, usually a truckload at a time, which you then move from the drop site (usually a driveway) to your desired locations.  You may know of other sources you can share with your neighbors.
Thank you for doing your part to protect Nob Hill’s beautiful tree canopy!
Terri DeBacker, Director
Nob Hill Neighborhood Association

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