New Mexico City Passes Water-Saving Tree Ordinance

DEMING, N.M. -- The Deming City Council has passed an ordinance that prohibits residents from planting certain trees in an effort to save water.

The measure says any plants listed on the New Mexico Noxious Weed List will be off limits for landscaping.

That includes salt cedar trees, European Olive trees, and fruitless Mulberry trees.

City officials are also urging residents to avoid using turf.

Turf will be permitted if it’s no more than 50 percent of a single- or two-family residential lot. No turf will be allowed for new commercial and industrial developments.

Other standards include residents having an automated irrigation system and retaining irrigation water on site. The use of rain-sensing and moisture-sensing devices is also encouraged.