Tree Surgeon

[Dick7Access]

I know next to nothing about trees, so is there a tree surgeon ot there that can answer this question for me. This news item http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/08/24/man-brings-850-gallon-tank-water-to-drought-stricken-tree/?test=latestnews talks about a farmer haling water for a 350 year old tree. I would think that 850 gal. he put on the surface would have little effect being that the roots are so deep. Is what he doing helping much?

 

[Rabbie]

The water should soak down to the roots relatively quickly. The lateral roots which absorb water are not as deep as the main tap root so yes It will do some good

 

[Dick7Access]

The water should soak down to the roots relatively quickly. The lateral roots which absorb water are not as deep as the main tap root so yes It will do some good

Well praise God for that. I am not a tree hugger, but I still would not want to lose a tree like that. My wife and I once stopped at a rest area that had a tree growing out of a hole in a big boulder, or ledge that was very old and when the railroad ran by it, the train crew use to stop and water it. I can't remember where but we think it was when the RV was parked at a buffalo ranch so it was probable Montana.

 

[Fifty2One]

With the US and Canadian governments still permitting (and supporting via various loand, grants and bursaries) the clear cutting and slash & burn of trees in order to plant cash crops it is truely a great thing when someone takes thought to support a tree.
It has been proven so many times in the past that removing all the trees to plant crops is a terrible idea yet people figure they are now smarter then the natural world which has been created for us. Sad how many people are treating the planet which we are entrusted stewardship for future generations.