RESIDENTS of Littlehampton and the surrounding villages are being asked to help West Sussex County Council during the hosepipe ban, by caring for newly-planted trees in their streets.
A plea for action has been made by the county highways department calling on people across the area to recycle rainwater from water butts, and “grey” water from bath tubs or washing-up bowls and use it to water young trees on highway verges.
Street trees are planted on verges in residential areas all over the county to soften the landscape, provide shade in hot weather and protection in the cold.
About 50 different types of trees are planted each year by county council highways teams. They range from Japanese cherry blossom and crab apple trees through to oak, ash and beech trees and are planted according to residents’ requests.
Regular watering is vital during the first two or three years of a tree’s life, particularly during the spring, summer and autumn months.
However, with the introduction of a hosepipe ban throughout much of the county, and the difficulties West Sussex highways faces in maintaining trees in such a wide area, help from the public is being sought.
Buckets and watering cans filled with water from taps are permitted for watering, but running water through hosepipes is not
However, recycled water from dishwashers should be avoided as the high salt content in the water could be damaging to the young plants.
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