|
Trees' tropism for water is one basic law of their lives (others are for air and light), since all their food must be in aqueous solution. Species vary widely in their need for moisture, from desert cactus to pondside willow. Some will go to extravagant lengths to slake their craving. The most impressive case of tree thirst I ever saw was a ninety-foot Carolina poplar, eight feet through the butt, whose owner sorrowfully called us in to take it down. This tree's enormous, brittle head towering over his house was a dire menace in every windstorm, but that was the least of the client's worries. Trouble was, he explained, that the giant had drunk dry not only his own well but also the wells of his neighbors. |
|||
|
