I'm sorry to say that during my near email-bankruptcy period that resulted from vacations and bike month I failed to post about Casey Trees By-Cycle program and the fact that they were hiring. Sorry. But they're all staffed up and ready to go now.
Casey Trees is using pedal power to care for the District’s trees. For the second summer, Casey Trees’ Water By-Cycle will help get water to trees in neighborhoods where heavy vehicular traffic and limited street parking make large trucks impractical.I just had a Casey trees employee come by my house to look in to planting a shade tree in our back yard (in October). And you can get a $50 rebate if you buy and plant a tree on private land. Also, you can get them to plant a tree in an empty tree box if you promise to water it. We're lucky to have such a great organization here. And I'm glad to see them making the environmentally smart choice of using working bikes where it makes sense. Trees are good for cyclists, and now cyclists can be good for trees.
“The launch of Water By-Cycle crew is perfectly timed,” said Jim Woodworth, Director of Tree Planting. “Right now the District is experiencing its sixth straight month of below average precipitation. Water By-Cycle will make sure the trees we planted three or less years ago get some much-needed water during the hot and dry summer months”.
The Water By-Cycle fleet is made up of four street bikes. The lead bicycle, ridden by an adult Bike Crew Captain, is outfitted with a custom 6’ cargo trailer carrying watering hoses, safety cones and tree care literature. Three High School Crew members follow behind. Water is accessed from city fire hydrants with permission from DC Water and paid for by Casey Trees.
Water By-Cycle crew members will mulch and water Casey Trees-planted trees located in Bloomingdale, Columbia Heights, Dupont Circle, Eckington Park, Downtown, Embassy Row, Georgetown, and Mt. Pleasant. Truck crews will water Casey Trees-planted trees in other neighborhoods.
District residents can keep trees on and surrounding their property alive by ensuring they receive 25 gallons of water – approximately equal to 1.5 inches of rainfall - per week.
Those who make the 25 to Stay Alive Pledge will receive a complimentary rain gauge to help them track rainfall totals at home. If less than 1.5 inches of rain falls in a week, residents know to water their trees. Free slow-release watering bags are also available to DC residents for pickup from Casey Trees office during normal business hours.
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