Urban Street Trees Survive Drought by Drinking from Leaky Water Pipes

Trees growing on city streets are more resistant to drought than those in parks because they are drinking from an unusual water source: leaky pipes.

After long periods with little rain, water levels and sap flow tend to decrease more in trees growing in parks compared with those in streets, but it was unclear why.

Urban trees lining streets fare better in dry spells than those in parks – now it seems that leaky water pipes are the reason for their endurance