by Carla Caruso

Billy Idol dedicated a whole song to it being “Hot in the City”. 

Summer has definitely kicked in of late. On such sweltering days, should you consider quenching your thirst, then that of a local tree?

A Clovelly Park resident on the neighbourhood site, Nextdoor, has suggested people help water public trees during hot weather. 

Sara Mitchell wrote: “Adelaide summers are hot and dry, and they could do with all the love they can get. Who doesn’t want shady, cool, leafy, tree-lined streets? 

“If you have the chance, go out and give your local trees a watering can or two of water a couple of times a week. Your neighbours’ trees too if you can and you know they can’t. 

“Some seaweed solution in the water would be the icing on the cake to help them cope with the hot, dry winds. How they get through this summer will make a tremendous difference to how quickly they will shade and cool your street. 

“Adopt a street tree today. Everybody wins.”

The post received many positive reactions and comments. And it was suggested that city-dwellers could also adopt such practices in your Adelaide Park Lands.

This month, Green Adelaide deputy chair Felicity-ann Lewis controversially labelled your Park Lands dry, dusty, empty, and in need of ­”activation”.

However, the City of Adelaide’s Horticulture Team Leader Matt Jorgensen said: “We have dedicated tree-watering programs and the trees get sufficient water, so this [community-led watering] is not required.”

The Council’s program incorporates rain gardens, permeable pavers, and more. It also offers support for locals wanting to establish nature strip or verge gardens, including supplying and installing initial plants, soil, mulch or instant turf to kickstart a project.

As we reported last month, the City Council is also looking into the feasibility of developing an online tree map, so people can learn more about Adelaide’s greenery and report any concerns.

The City of Marion already has such a such a map.

Worried about trees in your own backyard? Here are some signs of heat stress to look out for, according to tree care company Green Vista. 

• Wilting leaves are typically the first thing you’ll notice – as the tree becomes more stressed, stems and branches can start to droop

• Irregular yellowing of interior leaves or needles

• Failure to produce healthy-looking new growth, making the tree canopy look sparse

• Rust-coloured spots or bumps on leaves

• Scorching around leaf edges

• Sap oozing from the trunk, attracting ants or beetles, and

• Dropping leaves.

Meanwhile, if you spot any critters who look like they’re struggling during a heatwave, call your local vet or a wildlife group like Fauna Rescue SA for help.