Educate dog owners
If you ask nicely you can always ask again. Many a dog owner has heard me say, “Please don’t let your dog pee on the tree.” When said dog owner studiously ignores your request, repeat: “Excuse me, your dog is hurting that tree.” When said dog owner justifies the canine flow by declaring it fertilizer, educate them.
The concentration of urea, salt, and ammonia in dog urine is corrosive and will eventually destroy the bark of the tree, which leaves the tree vulnerable to disease. Planting flowers in the tree pit helps. Flowers make some dog owners feel guilty about dousing the colorful petals with urine. Of course, your best bet it to install a tree guard around the tree pit.
Some dog owners will snap at your request. Be firm, be polite, and ask them to, “Please curb your dog.”
Tags: Add new tag, how dog urine harms trees, protecting street trees
