Tree Watering Tips: How to Water Your Trees

This page is a general watering your tree guide. Using the methods and tips suggested, you can have a greener and stronger tree. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and we guarantee you will know when, what to use, and how much to water your trees.

Watering is an essential component of tree care. It aids in the movement of minerals and nutrients from the soil to the plant, serves as a medium for structural support, and is necessary for photosynthesis. Unless the plant roots have a continuous supply of water the tree's growth can become stunted, or become susceptible to diseases and pest activity leading to possible death.

Trees have a deeper and more extensive root system than plants so they should receive supplemental watering. Supplemental watering can greatly assist trees during drought periods in the summer or within warmer climates, and during its dormant season when moisture is limited.

For beginner gardeners or homeowners, knowing when to water your trees can be hard to ascertain. However, learning to water trees effectively can easily be done. This DIY guide provides some basic guidelines and professional products on how to properly water trees.

When to Water Trees

The best time to water trees is during the early morning or early evening hours. Trees have a chance to replenish their moisture and completely dry off during the daylight to avoid stress or disease growth from standing water.

For areas with high temperatures, watering during the middle of the day can cause burn spots as well as higher evaporation loss.

How to Irrigate

How the water is applied to your tree is just as important as where it is applied. If you think about the question, how should I water my trees then consider that they need to be watered slowly and deeply.

Depending on the age and size of your tree, you can use one of the following tools:

Sprinklers: They are a device that can be attached to your garden hose then simply placed in random places throughout your yard or it can be a system installed underneath your turf. These tend to be ideal areas for lawns since they can cover large areas, but not so much for trees due to the risk of wind and evaporation.

Bubblers: means a type of above-ground sprinkler that can easily be moved, but bubbles water in a short distance and at a slower rate than other standard sprinkler systems. This type of watering device is ideal for saturating the soil around the tree's root zone. As with other sprinkler systems this device does not guarantee uniform watering application to your trees.

Drip Irrigation: which is a method of watering the trees through ground level tubes. Water runs through the lines from an outdoor water faucet. Through multiple points in the tubing the water is released then drips into the soil to water nearby trees. It's similar to a sprinkler system, but instead of covering large areas in one application the drip irrigation targets specific trees or areas.

Hand-Held Hose: means the method of watering from a hose attached with a hose-end device that is self-canceling or has an automatic shutoff nozzle. Once trees have become established and grow to great heights a hand-held hose would be ideal, but more labor intensive. The Solutions Hose End Sprayer is a multi-use hand-held hose end sprayer that automatically dilutes concentrate pesticides and dispels water to high tree canopy heights or low level shrubbery.

Soaker Hose: is a type of hose that looks similar to other garden hoses with the exception that it releases water from various small holes along its length. The design of these holes allows water to escape slowly and can be wrapped around the tree. Due to its unique design, a soaker hose cannot adhere to uneven landscapes and may cause overwatering.

Tree Watering Bags: are slow release watering bags meant to be filled with a garden hose then wrapped around trees. These bags such as the Solutions Tree Watering Bags slowly delivers 20 gallons of water directly to new or established trees without overwatering.

Where to Water Trees

The area to apply water depends on if the tree is mature or newly planted.

Watering for established trees should not take place at the trunk. Instead water it from the dripline, which is the area below the tree edge canopy. Most of the tree's active water absorption is at the drip line and beyond. We recommend deeply watering the ground beneath this area with a hose-end sprayer such as the Solutions Hose End Sprayer for high volume applications.

When watering newly planted trees, provide a deep watering to the root ball area which is found around the tree trunk and to the soil surrounding it.

How Much Water Does Your Tree Need

The amount of water to use will depend on several factors such as the tree's age, species, soil texture, temperatures, time of year, root conditions, and the amount and timing of the last irrigation.

As a general rule, apply 10 gallons of water for each inch of the established tree's diameter no more than once a week during the growing season. If the soil feels soggy then wait 1-2 days before watering.

For newly planted trees, apply 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per inch of stem caliper. Between 1 to 2 weeks of planting, water daily unless the ground is saturated or if there is rainfall. When 3 to 12 weeks have passed after planting, you can water every 3 days.

To avoid keeping up with these watering intervals, you can install the Solutions Tree Watering Bags. Simply place 1 of the Solutions Tree Watering Bags around trees with a diameter of up to 3 inches. Zip 2 of the Solutions Tree Watering Bags together for trees 4 to 8 inches in diameter. Once secured, fill these bags up to 1/4 of its capacity. Lift the bag up by its straps to fill the bottom then resume filling it with water until desired level is reached.

Key Takeaways

How Do You Know if Trees Need Water?

• Keep in mind that newly planted trees will need immediate watering. If a mature or newly transplanted tree needs water it will show signs of fallen or discolored leaves, wilted leaves, and lower branches may droop. You may also dig a small hole into the ground that is at least 6 inches deep, then insert your finger. If the dirt feels dry then you may water, but if it feels soggy then you will have to wait a couple of days before rewatering.

What Does An Overwatered Tree Look Like?

• An overwatered tree could show signs such as the area around it being constantly wet, leaves appear green but are frail and break easily, or the leaves are yellow or light green, and new growth withers before its fully grown.

How Deeply Should Trees Be Watered

• Water should be applied to the critical root zone of the tree until the top 6 to 9 inches are wet, but not to the point of runoff.