New research: Trees have unexpected impacts on water use in northern Colorado
Colorado’s water supply is under threat from climate change and population growth. Limiting outdoor use is an increasingly popular approach to conserving water, yet to implement effective conservation policies, utilities managers need a better understanding of local outdoor water consumption. … [Colorado State University’s Melissa McHale] said trees can provide long-term benefits even if they need to be watered directly when they are first planted. … The research team found that residential properties with a higher ratio of vegetation cover to lot size tended toward less water consumption.