An urgent plea is being made for people to water Plymouth’s trees – or many will not survive due to the current drought.

With only three days of rain since the start of July, and a second hot summer in a row, many of the city’s trees are parched and in real danger of dying, said the Plymouth Tree People charity.

Its wardens have been out watering trees across the city, as have Plymouth City Council workers, but the job is so big it needs the public’s help.

The charity is urging people to adopt at least one tree and try to water it as often as they can.

Plymouth is under a hosepipe ban due to the heatwave and lack of rain, but Plymouth Tree People said trees still need to be watered, as they provide environmental benefits “for decades”.

The charity is urging people to save water from their baths and showers, and even the washing up, and recycle that.

Plymouth Tree People are calling on citizens to water trees to prevent them dying during the drought of summer 2026(Image: Submitted)

Ali White, a Plymouth Tree People co-ordinator, said the charity wants as many people to help as possible.

She said: “Our volunteer tree wardens have been out and about, watering trees this summer but the situation is so bad now, that we are calling on everyone who is able to, to help us help Plymouth’s trees survive. We really need lots of people to get involved.”

“Sadly, we believe that Plymouth will lose many trees over the next few years due to this drought.

“Lots of trees are going brown as a survival mechanism known as early autumn. They lose their leave to minimise water loss.

“Even trees which survive this year could die in the next couple of years due to the stress of this drought, and last year, which was also very hot and dry.

“If a tree’s leaves look droopy, crispy or are falling off then it needs a drink – so please help.”

Ali said that young trees, aged up to five years old, are most at risk, but even mature trees are in danger too.

Trees suffering during the drought of summer 2026(Image: Submitted)

She said: “Young trees don’t have a sufficient root system to support the size of the crown, which was grown under nursery conditions.

“Even under normal conditions they need regular water for three to five years until their roots have established enough.

“It’s been so dry for so long that even our slightly older trees are also suffering and we are encouraging people to look at the trees in their park or on their street.”

Ali said that about 10 litres of water “a few times a week” should be enough for a new tree, and will help a lot, but added: “More is better and larger trees could benefit from up to 50 litres once a fortnight.

“Anything anyone can do is better than nothing. Why not collect water when you bath or shower and use that.

“Trees can cope with a bit of suds. If your shower is in the bath, put the pug in and collect the water. You don’t need to use your tap.”

She added: “If you need to use water from the tap, a 10 litre watering can costs less than 3p to fill up.

“Giving them plenty in one go, encourages the roots to grow down rather than near the surface.

“We understand there is a water shortage but if we don’t look after our trees they simply won’t survive and this will have long term health impacts.”

Rain is forecast for Plymouth soon, but Ali said that may not be enough to help the trees. She said: “The ground is baked and so hard. If it rains the grass will swallow it all up.”

She said a deluge will see water run off into the drainage system and not help the trees.

And she stressed: “Trees are essential infrastructure and studies have shown that increasing the canopy cover in cities can significantly reduce the number of heat related, premature deaths – so they aren’t just nice to look at, they are good for us too.”

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