Union City Plants Drought-Tolerant Trees to Curb Water Usage

In an effort to conserve water during the drought Union City has replaced thousands of square feet of grass with native drought-tolerant trees, city officials announced Friday morning. The city removed 30,000 square feet of underutilized lawn at San Andreas Park and the surrounding areas and replaced the grass with native, drought-tolerant trees, according to city officials.

The trees won’t require supplemental watering after a few years of drip watering, city officials said. Drip watering systems are an alternative to standard lawn sprinkler and are considered to be a controlled and efficient system of water distribution, according to the city.

The trees have been installed in other parts of the city over the last few years and are part of a continuous effort by the city’s Public Works Department to promote water conservation efforts and drought-friendly landscapes, city officials said. The city has been active in water conservation even before it became a state mandate, according to city officials. The city has won multiple awards for replacing a total of 300,000 square feet of underutilized lawn over the last five years, the city said.

Recently, the city received the Eagle Scout’s Water Master Award for being leaders in the Silicon Valley Area as it relates to water conservation. City officials hope the city can lead by example and inspire residents to make their yards into a more drought-tolerant landscape.

The measures have already saved the city thousands of gallons of water each year and reduced the loss of plant life in Union City due to the drought, city officials said.

By Bay City News

Photo courtesy City of Union City

Caption: All of these images are phase two pictures of San Andreas Park recently completed by Boy Scout of America Troop# 20 Jason Wu, Jason completed his eagle scout project on 07/18/15