Mitchell Park West Neighbors

I have questions and concerns about the newly planted trees in the park. Some of my observations are that they left part of the roots exposed and that was remedied later with throwing some dirt over it. I have seen one park guy DRIVE on the grass along the trees looking at them. I hope this is not their typical inspection method as it compacts the soil and does allow a thorough inspection of the trees.

My main concern is that there are no wells for deep watering. If these trees are only being watered by the spray for the grass then they will not establish a good deep root system and once they get big enough for the monsoon wind to catch then...over they will go.

So who do I need to contact at the city of voice this concern or do we know that these trees are being deeply watered?

thanks

I just contacted Craig Hayton, the arborist for the City who originally picked out the trees and helped with planting.  I had heard that he was to be moved to another area of the City, so I also included Sam Thompson, who is one notch up, in the email.  Sam has quickly responded to say that Shane Mueller has replaced Craig.  I put in a call to Shane and got his voice mail and he has gotten a copy of your post via an email.  I will let you know about the reply.  If you also want to call, Shane's phone is 480-250-5121.

My recollection was that Craig promised to keep the trees watered by using a water truck until there was a system in place. I would hate to lose any tree due to lack of care!

Marcia

mkyle@asu.edu

Here is Craig's response:

Hi Marcia,
We generally keep wells from the trees in the flood irrigation portion
of the park so that the flood irrigation that will occur next week will
be able to get right up to the trees.  I'll forward your e-mail to Shane
Mueller, the new north parks supervisor, so he can contact you further.
Thanks again for your concern and for forwarding your questions. 

Thanks,
Craig Hayton
City of Tempe
Parks South
Maintenance Supervisor
(480) 350-5971

I just had my response fly into the etherlands, so I hope I am not repeating myself, but here is basically what I wrote.

I just heard from Shane, our new arborist from the City, and he has told me what they are doing in terms of watering of the new scrubs and trees.  The watering of the scrubs has been increased to 4 times a week.  The bubblers at some of the trees have been checked to make sure they are functioning correctly.  The trees in the sprinkler sections will be deep watered once a week, usually on Tuesdays, using the City water truck. 

He was very helpful and seemed to take a solid interest in the trees.  I'm sure he would be open to hear from anyone with a question. 

Marcia