Tree Watering

Our city trees are faced with many challenges from sometimes being grown in poor soil conditions, growing in constricted spaces, filtering particulates from our vehicles, to dealing with winter salts. trees have to be tough to survive in cities. But they provide many benefits to us from providing shade to cool our homes in summer to improving property values to providing us oxygen.

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Regular watering especially as the days warm up is crucial for tree survivability especially during the first three years after planting. However, mature trees can benefit from watering as well. A thorough soaking of 5-10 gallons of water each week during the growing season is recommended especially June through August. The goal with watering trees is to keep the soil around roots moist, not saturated and not dry. If you check and the soil is dry then more frequent watering may be needed.

 

Irrigation systems are great for grass as they are usually set to water roots 4" down but are not always adequate for tree roots which can be found 18-24 inches down. The use of a slow trickling water hose, soaker hose or tree gators are highly recommended.

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Keep string trimmers away from the trunk of the tree. String trimming too close to the trunk of a tree can destroy the tissue the tree needs and could ultimately kill the tree. Pul the grass or better yet use mulch.

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Mulch around the base of the tree helps retain water and can keep competition from grass away. 3-4 inches of mulch from the trunk to the drip line (edge of branches) of the trees is recommended.