‘TreeGator’ watering bags are now being distributed to all households that received a new tree as part of the Energy Savings Tree Program.  One bag per residence are being provided, at no charge, in an effort to ensure that trees are watered during the remainder of the summer and through this fall.  Proper watering is critical to the successful establishment of these new trees, and the TreeGators make the process of watering much simpler.  By slowly releasing the contents of the watering bag over a 6-9 hour period, the trees receive a measured amount of water at a rate that is most beneficial to its health.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please read the instructions provided on the backside of the tag that is found at the top of the treegator bag.  It is important that you lift the tag up in order read the instructions, and to access the opening in the bag which is used to add the water.

If you have had a tree planted on your property by ReGreen Springfield and the City of Springfield, you should expect a TreeGator at your door by August 31st.

If you have received your new Energy Savings tree, and it has been planted in your yard, it is important that you help to keep it alive and survive the hot summer temperatures of August.  You will also be receiving a ‘Treegator®’ drip watering bag in the next week or so, in order to help make your maintenance work a bit easier. See instructions for the ‘treegator’ below.

However, in the meantime, your tree still needs water.  Lots of it, at that!  This hot, dry weather is not good for the establishment of newly planted trees, and the only way that you can be assured of a healthy tree is if you water it during these dry periods.  Newly planted trees require 25 gallons of water, approximately 1.5 inches of rainfall, per week to survive. (We like to call this “25 to Stay Alive”!) During extended periods of little or no rainfall and/or high temperatures, trees need your help.

Deep watering to a depth of 12” inches below the soil surface is recommended.  Saturate the soil around the tree within the “dripline” (the outer edges of the tree’s branches) to disperse water down toward the roots.

The objective is to water slowly, dispersing the flow of water to get the water deep down to the trees roots. Wateringfor short periods of time only encourages shallow rooting which can lead to more drought damage. Don’t dig holes in the ground in an effort to water deeply.  This dries out roots even more. A soil needle/deep root feeder attached to a hose is acceptable to insert into the ground if your soil is not too hard and compact.

For information on the ‘Treegator®’, just visit www.treegator.com
To order your own ‘gator’, Click Here.

For more information, please visit www.regreenspringfield/water

Big Y Chairman Donald D'Amour and Big Y Cooley Street Store Manager Jeff Hamel plant a tree in Springfield's East Forest Park neighborhood, on July 27, 2012

Big Y Foods of Springfield has joined in the effort to plant new trees in  the city, and is assisting in Regreen Springfield’s latest initiative to regreen tornado impacted neighborhoods.

Big Y Chairman Donald D’Amour recently participated in a tree planting event in Springfield’s East Forest Park neighborhood, planting a Pin Oak tree on a property that was devastated by the June 2011 Tornado.  Mr. D’Amour was joined by Jeff Hamel, Store Manger of the Cooley Street Big Y store.  This tree is one of 700 mature trees that will be planted across the tornado zone by Regreen Springfield and the City of Springfield by the end of August.  Big Y is providing support

for this ambitious initative, and will be sponsoring a series of events aimed at increasing people’s awareness of this planting program and providing information on the importance of trees as a mechanism to cool temperatures, reduce energy use and provide shade to homes and businesses.

As part of this commitment to replanting the city, the Big Y store located at 300 Cooley Street held a registraiton event for residents on July 30th and August 1st.