Helping Dovecote Trees Through the Heatwave

Help Our Young Trees Through the Dry Weather

The prolonged spell of hot, dry weather is beginning to take its toll on the young trees around our estate. Unlike established trees, recently planted trees have limited root systems and .rely on regular watering to survive extended dry periods.

As there does not appear to be any significant rain forecast for at least the coming week, we’re asking residents to help by watering any of the planted trees located close to their homes. A little time can make a significant difference to the health and survival of these trees.

The estate’s maintenance guidance recommends that after 7–10 days of dry weather, each young tree should receive around 40 litres of water, or more if it is showing signs of drought stress. The water should be applied slowly so that it soaks into the root zone rather than running off the surface. Watering early in the morning or later in the evening helps reduce evaporation, and if you have access to collected rainwater or other recycled water, that’s an excellent option.

Our trees are an important investment in the future of the estate. They provide shade, improve air quality, support wildlife, and enhance the appearance of our community. With everyone’s help, we can give them the best chance of thriving through the current dry conditions.

Thank you to everyone who is able to lend a hand.

Adopting a Tree

We are currently putting together a Tree Adoption scheme which will enable residents to see which trees have been ‘adopted’ for watering. This will help us to organise and better manage the watering of young trees during periods of hot weather. Adoption instructions will be added in due course, for now it is possible to see a map, created by our resident Ecologist Ben, of all Dovecote Trees below: