We value things that last. Let’s restore our historic urban forest. Chair, Jeff Gittelman jeffgittelman@gmail.com
Committee Member Terri DeBacker offers these tips for success
Nob Hill is distinguished by its historic architecture and its historic urban forest. Along with beauty, our mature trees improve air quality, reduce stormwater runoff, provide carbon sequestration, and help shield us from the “heat island effect”. The heat island effect refers to the concentration of heat, built up during the day and held overnight, in locations composed primarily of heat trapping materials (e.g., concrete, asphalt, rock) and lacking trees and other shade coverage. Results of a 2021 heat mapping study of Albuquerque can be found here.
Our wonderfully shady Nob Hill needs all of us working to protect and promote our urban forest. You can do your part by caring for your existing trees and planning for tree succession in your residential space.
Caring for Existing Trees
In Albuquerque’s dry climate, even mature trees need to be watered. This is especially true during times of drought. Please help preserve Nob Hill’s urban forest by watering your existing trees regularly. How often to water depends on the season. The 505Outside “Water by the Seasons” guide can help you estimate how much water your trees need at various times of year. How to water existing trees. According to 505Outside, 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 at the dripline of the tree, does a great job of irrigating trees in an optimal manner. Alternatively, as described on the Tree New Mexico website, 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.
How much water is enough? You want to water your trees to a depth of about three feet. You can test the depth of watering by pressing a 3-foot screwdriver or similar object (piece of rebar, a metal rod, etc.) 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.
What about new trees? Newly planted 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. 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 smaller trees or under the canopy of larger trees is a tremendously effective way to hold in soil 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 is a service that connects gardeners with arborists to provide free delivery of large quantities of wood mulch, which you then move from the drop site (usually a driveway) to your desired locations.
Planning for Urban Forest Succession
Like Nob Hill itself, our tree canopy was established decades ago. That means many trees are, or soon will be, facing the end of their lifespans. Without thoughtful tree succession, Nob Hill will be left without our beloved, and protective, tree canopy.
Making good choices. As we each plan for tree succession, we need to bear in mind that urban forest health relies on choosing appropriate tree species, placing those trees in appropriate planting sites, and assuring that they are well-cared for. Climate-Ready Trees: Tree Species Selection Guidelines for the Albuquerque Metro Area contains a wealth of information for those wanting to plant new trees. The report includes lists of climate-ready trees (i.e., those that will be able to thrive in Albuquerque’s anticipated future climate) that are best suited for seven different location types. While only the wonkiest of us will want to read the entire report, chapter 3 and Appendices A and B are particularly helpful for tree enthusiasts.
Passive Rainwater Harvesting. Would you like to use rainwater to irrigate your trees, while also protecting the health of our watershed? The Field Guide to Passive Rainwater Harvesting, shows you how. The Field Guide and its companion online resources share knowledge and experience from local experts on how to harvest rainwater in our high desert communities at a residential scale.
“Tree-bates”. The cost of your new trees can be off-set through the Water Authority’s Tree-bate program. Other Water Authority rebate programs that may be interest to Nob Hill residents include the Desert Friendly Xeriscape Conversion Rebate, the Rainwater Harvesting Rebate, and the Efficient Irrigation Rebate.
Thank you for doing your part to protect Nob Hill’s urban forest by caring for your existing trees and planting new climate-ready trees now. Together we can assure that Nob Hill remains leafy and beautiful for decades to come.