Marisa Thompson, Ph.D., understands a love of trees, especially in a desert setting. Thompson, a horticulture specialist, also wants to help Las Cruces residents understand the needs of the trees they plant, and how to make wise choices that help sustain our environment. Join her at her presentation, “Everybody say Trees” as a part of the Lush and Lean Workshop series hosted by Las Cruces Utilities (LCU), on Thursday, May 24th at the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library.
“Sustainability in New Mexico is not about not having trees, but having trees that thrive in our landscape,” said Thompson. “Putting water on a plant that is slowly dying, that’s not sustainability.”
Thompson is extension horticulture specialist at New Mexico State University’s Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center. She explains that there are plenty of misconceptions about care and root growth that end up doing more harm than good.
“Never fertilize a tree when you first plant it, never amend the soil,” she said. “You don’t want to give the tree false hope; instead try to get the plant to do the best thing for itself…which means lateral root growth. She continued, “So, at the beginning you encourage root growth - a maximum root-to-soil connection - and not top growth.”
The picture that sticks in people’s minds is that underground tree roots are a mirror image of what’s above ground. Thompson says that for watering, people should remember that roots are closer to the surface than they may think and make sure the irrigation is efficient for their tree.
Thompson will speak about how mulch can aid in moisture retention and creating beneficial microorganisms, how weed control can help or hurt a tree, and how to analyze your soil to find the best location for your tree in your yard.
All Lush and Lean Workshops are free and open to the public. They are held Thursday evenings at the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, 200 E. Picacho Ave., in the Roadrunner Room from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. See the complete list of speakers and Lush and Lean dates at www.las-cruces.org/WaterConservation or www.facebook.com/cityoflascruces.
Submitted by Las Cruces Utilities
You can reach Las Cruces Utilities at 528-3500 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Las Cruces Utilities provides GAS – WATER – WASTEWATER – SOLID WASTE services to approximately 100,000 Las Cruces residents and businesses.