Save your trees during the drought

Dozens of trees were cut down outside the Palm Royale Country Club at Washington Street and Fred Waring Drive in La Quinta and replaced with desert landscape. The changes were to increase driver visibility, prevent roots damaging the road and to minimize water use, according to the property management.

The Coachella Valley Water District said run-off from the trees was a problem. It applauds Palm Royale’s decision to make the changes, but urges you to think twice and help keep your trees alive.

“Any time you’re taking out landscaping that’s causing runoff or over watering and replacing it with desert landscaping, that’s a great thing and that sometimes might require taking out trees,” said Heather Engel, CVWD director of communication and conservation. “It’s important for people to try to find a balance between conserving water and finding ways to keep their trees alive.”

Engel said the State Water Resources Control Board supports Californians keeping their trees. You can save your trees, meet your water budget and water restrictions.

“Some of it is a misconception not understanding how much water their trees need, but also there are a lot of trees that are not appropriate for the desert.

Some trees require more water than others, which could make this a good time to replace them with desert friendly trees.

Be aware, if you stop watering your grass, you might be neglecting those desert friendly trees.

“It’s pretty easy to take that golden grass and make it green again, but to take out a 20 year old tree, that can’t be replaced,” said Engel.

Temperature and soil type affect how your tree should be watered. Learn what your trees need, such as deep soaking the roots so they can survive the drought.

For more information to help keep your trees thriving, go to www.CVWatercounts.com/treetips