Heat wave threatens grass, trees at Alta Vista Cemetery

GAINESVILLE - The late-spring heat wave is threatening some three-year-old trees and grass at Alta Vista Cemetery in Gainesville.

"Temperatures are up and everyone knows rainfall is down," Field Services Manager Vince Evans said. "The combination of these two is causing the grass to be extremely stressed and in some cases the grass may not come back. We have over 75 acres and it is certainly not possible to water such a large area."

Evans said cemetery workers are "spot watering" certain areas as is allowed in the outdoor water restrictions and "desperately trying to keep our newer trees alive as these are large investments in the future beauty of the cemetery."

He said the 60-or-so trees that were planted three years ago are being watered with five-gallon buckets every 7-10 days.

Evans added that everything is being done that can be to keep the grounds as attractive as possible.

"We want the community to know we take great pride in the condition of the cemetery and we're doing our best to deal with a difficult situation," Evans said, "(but) right now conditions are beyond our control."

He said crews will continue to do limited cutting and try to stay off the grass as much as possible.