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Because of lack of time, knowledge or concern, Manning said, many homeowners, tenants and strata councils don’t recognize that, though they’re not allowed to use sprinklers on trees, they are permitted to water trees by hand using a hose with a spring-loaded shut-off nozzle, a watering can, or drip irrigation.

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And it’s not only private citizens who need to be vigilant, Manning said. Municipal staff also often don’t prioritize watering trees on boulevards and in parks.

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“Cities will give you a count of how many trees they’ve planted, but they don’t give you a count of how many of those trees are alive after six years,” says Bill Hardy, chair of the Green City initiative of the International Association of Horticulture Producers. Contributed

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Neither Manning nor Minter criticize Metro Vancouver’s early watering restrictions, the most severe in at least a decade. But that doesn’t mean they don’t think the restrictions can have negative unintended consequences.

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About 31 per cent of Metro Vancouver’s landscape is under a tree canopy. But the proportion is shrinking, in part because of population growth and property development, but also because of neglect.

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Metro officials did not respond to Postmedia’s questions about whether they’re concerned about loss of trees because of the watering restrictions.

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Metro officials have, however, said part of the reason for instituting the Stage 3 restrictions in June is that upgrades are underway to an old, metre-wide water pipeline under Stanley Park.

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Due to construction logistics, the existing pipeline has been temporarily shut down. “

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Metro Vancouver is still on track to have work on this phase complete and … back in service by the end of July,” says Metro. “At that time conditions will be assessed, and Stage 3 water restrictions will be lifted if water supply allows.”

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Maple Ridge gardening centre co-owner Bill Hardy, chair of the Green City initiative of the International Association of Horticulture Producers, said many members of the public have an unfortunate response when governments announce outright watering bans, such as for lawns.

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“Many of our customers think that applies to everything,” Hardy said.

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While not questioning Metro Vancouver’s tough water rules, Hardy urged the district to do a much better job of getting out the message to the public, and to municipal parks departments “that you can water your trees — and you should.”

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The trouble with many Metro Vancouver municipalities, Hardy said, is they don’t treat public trees as “infrastructure. Instead, they treat them as amenities, as decorative. As nice-to-haves.”

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Most municipalities, therefore, don’t track the health of trees the way they monitor the viability of infrastructure, like sewers or community centres, Hardy said.

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“Cities will give you a count of how many trees they’ve planted, but they don’t give you a count of how many of those trees are alive after six years.”

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Hardy can’t stress enough the ecological value of thriving trees, including for creating oxygen and combating climate change. He urges governments to follow cities like San Francisco and build extensive secondary water supplies, including of grey water.

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Even with Metro Vancouver’s mild, temperate climate, it’s no simple task to manage its elaborate water network. Still, many things can be done to preserve water while better protecting trees.

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As Manning, who spent 25 years working with the Vancouver’s parks system, says: “It’s an ongoing balancing act.”

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