City Of Claremont: Tree Watering Bags & Mosquitos

Press release from the City of Claremont:

08/25/2021

Tree watering bags are issued with every newly planted City tree. Water bags are beneficial in many ways. They save time, water, money, and ultimately trees. Water bags are installed in a few minutes and are only filled once to twice a week. Tree bags slowly release water preventing runoff and loss of water due to evaporation. Water releases from the bag over a period of 5-9 hours, which allows for deep watering. Water deep below the surface allows for stronger root growth and aids in minimizing future hardscape damage. Because water bags water efficiently, they aid in reducing water costs.

Although drip irrigation is the ideal means of watering, the City recommends tree watering bags as an alternate means of watering for newly planted, unestablished trees. Newly planted, unestablished trees are trees that have been in the ground less than 3 years or approximately 3-3 ½” in diameter at chest height. They are not an efficient means of watering for trees in the ground longer than 3 years or that are larger in size. The City recommends the removal of water bags on trees outside this criterion. An alternate means of watering should begin following the water bag removal. More information on proper tree watering can be found at www.ci.claremont.ca.us/trees.

Tree watering bags should not lead to the production of mosquitoes. Per the Mosquito and Vector Control District, it takes approximately 5-10 days for a mosquito to reach adulthood. Mosquitoes require dirty, stagnant water to survive their lifecycles. Tree watering bags should empty within 5 to 9 hours. They should be empty after this period time. If a water bag is holding water longer than 9 hours, reduce the frequency of filling the bag and/or check that the bag is working properly. Water bags can also be removed from the tree after emptying and replaced during the next watering. Further information regarding mosquitoes can be found on the San Gabriel Valley Vector Control District’s website www.sgvmosquito.org.

For more information contact the Community Services Department at (909) 399-5431.

This press release was produced by the City of Claremont. The views expressed here are the author’s own.