Workshop offered on keeping trees alive during drought

Even though Nevada has received more moisture this year than in previous years, water levels are still below normal, and the state is still in a drought. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the Nevada Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service, presents a free “Trees and Drought” workshop May 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Classes will provide information on current threats to our trees, how trees respond to water stress and strategies to make our community trees more drought resilient.

“Nevada is the driest state in the United States,” said Heidi Kratsch, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension horticulture specialist. “We live in a desert and are always in a drought. Water conservation is always important in Nevada.”

According to Kratsch, trees may exhibit visible damage from drought in the short term. In the long term, they may reduce flower and fruit production and eventually die if damage is severe. Drought-stressed trees are also less able to protect themselves and become more susceptible to invasion by insects or disease

“Learning to deal with one of our most valuable resources, our trees, is critical, because trees cool our landscapes, keep our homes cool, keep our cities cool, keep carbon in the ground and take carbon dioxide from the air, which fights global warming.”

Topics include the following:

9 a.m.: Where does your water come from, taught by Customer Relations Director Andy Gebhardt, with the Truckee Meadows Water Authority

10 a.m.: Native trees for drought-prone areas, taught by Landscape Horticulture Specialist Larry Rupp, with Utah State University Cooperative Extension

1 p.m.: Trees, soils and mulch, taught by Water Conservation and Turfgrass Specialist Kelly Kopp, with Utah State University Cooperative Extension

2:15 p.m.: Good and bad plant choices for wildfire-prone areas, taught by Horticulture Specialist Heidi Kratsch, with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension

3 p.m.: Panel discussion about Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) certification for Nevada

The workshop will be held in at the Washoe County Cooperative Extension Office, 4955 Energy Way in Reno. The workshop is free and provides certificates of attendance and International Society of Arboriculture Continuing Education Units. Register online at http://treesanddrought2016.eventbrite.com. Participants must register by Tuesday.

For more information, visit www.growyourownnevada.com. Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should call at least three days prior to the scheduled event.