TreEnews - June 2016

Summer is on! Save water and save trees.

There's no question that Californians still need to save water. Long-term water deficits persist and longer dry spells are likely the new normal in our state.

Locally, Palo Alto's water supplier has requested a 10% reduction in Citywide water consumption compared to 2013 levels, and the City recently updated its water use restrictions to achieve this target.

Water-wise tree care is key

Faced with a hotter, drier future, investing in urban trees is more important than ever. Here's what you need to know to be water-smart, and still help your trees thrive:

Deep watering is the best, most efficient way to water your tree's root system. Water mature trees deeply and infrequently once a month or every other month. Most young trees need water about every other week.
Native oaks trees are a special case. Mature oaks should not be watered during the summer, since the combination of heat and moisture puts them at risk of fungal infestations.
Removing your lawn is a water-wise choice, but make sure to help your trees transition. If trees have grown accustomed to shallow, frequent lawn irrigation, they'll need time to adjust to less frequent, deeper watering. Learn more about protecting trees during turf conversion.
Mulch is your friend! 3-5 inches of mulch within the drip line of your tree will help conserve moisture and bolster soil health.

Learn more about water-saving tree care.

WATCH: How-to Tree Watering Videos

Learn how to water young and mature trees with videos from the statewide Save our Water and our Trees campaign.

Watering young trees

Watering mature trees

Coming up at Canopy

Palo Alto Young Tree Care Survey

Two Training and Survey Dates:

June 25 and July 16, 9am - 12pm

Meeting locations TBD

Each year, Canopy volunteers and partners comb through Palo Alto neighborhoods to survey the health of hundreds of young street trees, and guide the city's young tree care efforts.

This is a fun, flexible volunteer opportunity for all ages -- and a great way to learn your street trees! Volunteers are welcome to attend one or both sessions. Learn more about the survey or sign up to volunteer.

July Tree Walk: "At home among trees: Landscape and architecture"

Saturday, July 9, 10am - 12pm

Begins at 1276 Harriet St, Palo Alto

Join Canopy, architect Daniel Garber, and a leading arborist for a walk around the Lucie Stern Community Center and surrounding neighborhood. We'll explore how trees, landscape, and architecture interact as we encounter diverse tree species, including the London Plane Tree, Eastern Redbud, Flowering Dogwood, Australian Willow, and many more.

Eventos pr�ximos en espa�ol
Upcoming events in Spanish

Taller de Poda de �rboles
Spanish language Pruning Workshop

Saturday, June 18, 9am-12:30pm
Bell Street Park, East Palo Alto

Caminata de �rboles
Spanish language Tree Walk

Saturday, June 18, 10 - 11:30am

Brentwood Elementary School, East Palo Alto

Save the Dates!

Inspire the next generation of nature stewards

Education Leader Training

3 consecutive Wednesdays

August 17, 24, and 31

Planting Leader Training

Part 1: September 20 or 22

Part 2: September 24

Highlights from the Field

Junior Foresters celebrate a year of exploring and caring for their school trees

We're so proud of our Willow Oaks Junior Foresters! These 4th and 5th graders explored and cared for trees on their school campus all year long as part of a Canopy pilot program.

Last week, the students "graduated" during a ceremony under their school's iconic willow tree. They took the Tree Steward Pledge, presented posters about what they've learned, and received their official Junior Forester certificates.

As one student wrote on their poster, "I felt happy because I got to help my community become a better place." Another student wrote, "With Canopy...we learn to keep the environment safe and healthy and good."

These students are nature stewards in the making. We can't wait to work with another group of Junior Foresters next year!

Community News


	Canopy Director, Catherine Martineau, and her husband enjoy "Double Take" during the grand opening in 2011.

Last chance to enjoy the willow sculptures at Palo Alto Art Center

Farewell ceremony happening this Sunday, June 12th, 3-4pm

If you've ever visited the Palo Alto Art Center, you've probably noticed "Double Take," the nest-like sculptures made out of willow branches.

The artwork was created by artist Patrick Dougherty in 2011, and the installation was always meant to be temporary. Now, the sculpture's time has finally come. Art Center staff say it has lost it's structural integrity, and will be sent to the chipper early next week.

The Art Center will hold a brief farewell ceremony this Sunday from 3-4pm, where the first part of the structure will be dismantled. The rest of the structure will be dismantled on Monday.

Read more from the Palo Alto Weekly...

Thank you for your partnership

YOU DID IT! A huge thank you to everyone who helped us meet our matching grant challenge this spring.

Support healthy trees and healthy communities

Thank you for helping us exceed our goal_

Not only did you help secure the full matching pool; you helped us do even more.

After we reached our goal, you didn't stop giving. So our generous challenge grant donors agreed to extend the match to every donation received through May 31st.

Now, thanks to your partnership, we're ready for another year of planting trees, caring for the urban forest, and empowering the next generation of environmental stewards.

Thank you for making this important work possible!

Learn more about supporting Canopy .

May Tree Gifts and Dedications:

May 1st - 31st, 2016

Lisa Abeyounis

in honor of Catherine Rosati

Lauren Meltzer

in memory of Betty Meltzer and for all the generations to come.

Janice Brody

in honor of Catherine's wonderful work.

Anna Waring

in honor of Catherine Martineau

Stepheny McGraw

in honor of Susan Rosenberg

Special thanks to recent Grantors:

Patagonia Palo Alto

Urban Forestry Organization

Los Altos Community Foundation

Employees of PARC, a Xerox Company

Quick Links

Visit us online - Canopy Tree Library - Find an Arborist - Support our Work

Canopy plants and cares for trees where people need them the most. We bring the life-giving benefits of trees to the schools, neighborhoods, and public spaces of the San Francisco Mid-Peninsula.

Canopy is proud to be affiliated with:

Canopy - 3921 East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto - 650.964.6110
Canopy.org