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Utah's severe drought conditions have prompted people all over the state to turn off their sprinklers and let their lawns go yellow.
But while conserving water should definitely be a priority, expert arborists in Utah warn that simply shutting off the valves might be more detrimental in the long run.
Before you let your lawn go completely, here are a few things you should know.
Why it's important to keep things green and growing
Ben Behunin, owner of Behunin Tree, would like to remind you of something you learned in elementary school: Trees are necessary for clean air. Through the process of carbon sequestration, they capture and store carbon dioxide and produce oxygen for humans to breathe in return.
"Once a tree dies and it's no longer able to sequester that carbon, the tree starts to decay and releases carbon back into the atmosphere," Behunin said.
To counter this, he said trees need sufficient water.
We're probably not watering our trees quite enough. A huge, mature tree transpires (puts back into the air) hundreds of gallons of water a day. Their roots are deep but we need to water them deep so that those roots can absorb the water.
–Ben Behunin, owner, Behunin Tree
"We're probably not watering our trees quite enough. A huge, mature tree transpires (puts back into the air) hundreds of gallons of water a day. Their roots are deep but we need to water them deep so that those roots can absorb the water. We don't want to lose that ability that the tree has to sequester carbon and filter out carbon dioxide."
To put that into perspective, Behunin points to the 140-year-old cottonwood trees in Salt Lake's historic Garden Park Ward neighborhood that fell in last year's windstorm. Though removing the trees was a costly process by itself, that's nothing compared to the environmental consequences.
According to Behunin, a tree's carbon content is roughly 50% of its biomass. For the cottonwood trees, that meant 150,000 lbs. of CO2 sequestration — each. That's a lot of carbon going back into the atmosphere.
"If we lose that filtering, we're stepping back and allowing global warming to continue," Behunin warned.
"If we can keep plants alive and green, we can enjoy them, not have to worry about the cost of replacing them next year, and we can continue to sequester the carbon that's being built up."
In short, by keeping things green, the air stays clean. And it's best to address this now — or next summer could be worse.
Cutting back on watering has a cascading effect
Protecting the environment should be a good enough reason to properly care for trees and shrubs. But there are other unintended problems caused by cutting back on watering.
Underwatered trees become weak and susceptible to bark beetles and other pests and diseases.
Dead trees and vegetation become an expensive hassle — and a hazard — when you have to remove them.
And if you plan on replacing your lawn with rocks, get ready for even higher maintenance. Behunin says that it's hard work to remove weeds, seeds, dust, and leaves that accumulate around them.
"In the end, it's a time-killer," he said.
The best solution is to learn how to properly care for your trees, shrubs, and yard.
Save water — and save your lawn
Behunin wants people to know that letting your lawn die isn't the only option — and it isn't the best one, either.
Behunin Tree can treat your lawn with a special chemical that actually reduces your water usage by half. Combined with proper pruning, you'll be using about a quarter of the water you were before.
The whole process is simple, affordable, effective, and a better alternative to letting your whole yard wither away. Plus, it will enhance the exterior of your home, raise your property value, and beautify your neighborhood.
Book your tree or yard service today!
As the oldest tree and landscape company in the state, Behunin Tree has over 70 years of experience in proper tree care and pruning. Their tree work is on display all over the state — from Lagoon to the governor's mansion, to Temple Square and beyond. (They were the first company to bring the world-famous Christmas lights to Temple Square trees.)
You can trust their certified arborists to provide the expert care your yard deserves. Behunin himself carries a master's degree in horticulture and has been in the business for 40 years, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. To see the difference a certified, experienced arborist can make for your landscape, all you need to do is reach out for a consultation.
Because every yard has different soil, sun, and shade conditions, Behunin says it's important to get personalized attention to address your yard's specific needs.
"We have all types of solutions for all types of problems," Behunin said. "There isn't a magic bullet for every yard, every yard is different."
With the combination of drought and high temperatures, every day counts when your yard isn't getting enough water. Don't wait until the end of summer to learn how you can save water while preserving your trees, shrubs, and lawn. With proper landscape care, everyone wins.
For questions, or to book a consultation with a certified arborist, contact Behunin Tree today.
