Consumption and conservation extends beyond our homes too. One of the signature characteristics of our residential streets is the wonderful tree-lined canopies that give us shade from the scorching sun. To stay healthy our street trees need about 15-20 gallons of water a week, particularly during the summer months. For those so inclined, you can capture the water from your showers, bathtubs, sinks, air conditioners and dehumidifiers in a bucket and pass it along to your nearest tree. Start your own tree-care bucket brigade! The Department of Parks and Recreation has some great tips for how to care for our street trees on their website.

 

And if you must use water to cool off, remember to use spray caps on fire hydrants to preserve water pressure. "Spray caps," which can be obtained from your local fire station, can be installed on any fire hydrant to produce a circular spray of cool water, reducing output to a safe level while still providing relief from the heat. You must be 18 or older to obtain a spray cap.

 

The Romans named the "dog days of summer" after the dog star, Sirius, when it was thought that the star was responsible for an evil time "when the seas boiled, wine turned sour, dogs grew mad, and all creatures became languid, causing to man burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies" according to Brady's Clavis Calendarium, 1813. Even the Old Farmer's Almanac lists the dog days as the 40 days between July 3 to August 11. So here we are in the midst of it. And it's pretty hot out there. Sirius-ly!