Frequently Asked Questions
If you have general questions about street or island trees, please let us know.

Reach us at board@sanmateopark.org

 

 

What might be going on with my street (or private) tree?

 

Do my street trees need water?

• If the leaves on your street tree are limp or starting to turn brown, the tree needs immediate water.

• A new tree is like a potted plant: if the top inch or two of the soil around the tree is dry and hard, it’s time to water.

• A good watering program is an investment that more than pays off in trees that grow more quickly, develop good form, and increase property values.

 

Watering Methods:  

• Leave a hose running slowly enough that water does not run away from tree — for about 45 minutes.

• Attach a hose to a probe (these are inexpensive and readily available at Home Depot and elsewhere) and water in a few places around the drip line of the tree.

• Build a berm of dirt around the tree and fill the well with water 3x until each fill of water drains.

 

I suspect my big oak tree is sick. It is dropping a lot of green leaves. What do I do? 
 

Oaks do experience infestation by cynipid gall wasps. – some years more heavily than others.  They can be found attached to the underside of the leaves and eventually — as they progress through their life cycle — they cause those leaves to fall.  In years with a major infestation, we’ll notice an unusual amount of leaf fall from our oaks. The good news is these gall wasps do not cause long-term harm to oaks and become beneficial in that they dine on whitefly, aphids.  So arborists may not recommend spraying to eradicate them.  If an oak is majorly denuded of its leaves, fertilizer at the appropriate time to encourage leaf regrowth might be warranted.

Note: We are not arborists, and although this input comes from such licensed pros, it is not a diagnosis.  When in doubt it is prudent to arrange a consult with one.