Cut down surplus trees to save water
The Bee does a good job covering how to cut water use, but sorely lacks coverage on how water production can be increased.
Yes, water production can be increased by as much as 40% by good vegetation management. When crowns of trees and vegetation touch or intertwine, they form an umbrella where rain cannot even reach the ground. On top of that, each bush and tree pump water out of the soil.
Good stewardship means removing surplus trees and brush and allowing rain to reach the ground giving water a chance to get into aquifers making it available for our use.
Bee reporters should cover this aspect of the water controversy to help property owners and all levels of government increase water production while reducing fire hazard at the same time. Obviously this would be a win, win!
Paul Rich, North Fork
This story was originally published July 11, 2015 at 6:07 AM with the headline "Cut down surplus trees to save water."