Watering Young Trees in Hot Weather: A Community Effort to Help Trees Survive

As we face increasingly dry summer months, leading tree care organisations are urging communities to take action and help newly planted trees survive.

With 2023 being the hottest year ever recorded globally according to UN scientists, the importance of watering young trees has never been more critical.

The Watering Campaign

Newly planted trees are particularly vulnerable during their first few years.

A recent large-scale study revealed that 30 percent of newly planted street trees die within their first year, largely due to lack of water. As extreme heat periods become longer and more frequent, and resources for aftercare are limited, young trees struggle to survive.

To combat this, a coalition of organisations has launched a campaign to ensure that tree planting efforts do not go to waste.

This campaign, led by the Arboricultural Association and local authority tree officer associations, aims to engage the public in understanding the importance of tree aftercare and arboricultural knowledge.

Why Watering Young Trees is Essential

More than 1,000 tree species are at risk due to climate change, including city-dwelling oaks, maples, poplars, and chestnuts.

Unlike mature trees, which can find their own water sources, newly planted trees need regular watering—about 50 litres per week during the summer months, for the first three years after planting.

This consistent care helps ensure their survival and growth into strong, mature trees that provide essential environmental benefits.

Community Involvement

The watering campaign has gained support from key environmental organisations like the Woodland Trust, emphasising the critical need for young tree aftercare.

Community members across the UK are stepping up as tree watering champions, using free packs of tags or downloadable posters to remind others to water their local trees.

These tags have been translated into five different languages to reach a broader audience.

This year, the campaign will expand further, allowing supporters to add their own groups to the UK Tree Watering map, encouraging more people to join and share their efforts.

Global Efforts and Local Actions

Around the world, efforts to plant millions of trees are part of the strategy to tackle the climate crisis.

However, the health and survival of these urban trees are threatened by increasingly dry weather. Without proper aftercare, they cannot survive long enough to provide their full environmental benefits.

Trees are part of the solution, and watering young trees is an investment in a greener future.

Voices from the Campaign

John Parker, Chief Executive Officer of the Arboricultural Association, expressed his enthusiasm for the campaign’s growth, stating,

"We’re so happy to see the watering campaign grow and how many organisations are now getting behind it. If tree planting schemes are going to be successful, then we also need far greater awareness of arboriculture and of tree care professionals."

Caroline Campbell, Urban Project Officer, highlighted the reciprocal relationship between trees and communities:

"Trees give us so much, from clean air to cooler streets, and we need to give something back and help them thrive and grow into the strong, carbon-fighting giants of tomorrow. Planting trees is just the start. Without water, young trees can't survive a heatwave, making our efforts fruitless—a tree without water is like a lung without air."

Caroline also encouraged community involvement:

"The Water Your Trees campaign is a lovely way to get children involved with nature—why not make it part of your daily routine to water the trees in your street together? It’s fun and can really rally a community spirit. Join the campaign, help make every area greener and healthier, and make a direct impact today."

Get Involved

You can help young trees thrive by watering those near you over the summer months.

Join the campaign, become a tree watering champion, and make a difference in your community.

Together, we can ensure that newly planted trees survive and grow, contributing to a greener and healthier future for all.

See how you can help young trees survive: trees.org.uk/watering