How to water your trees the right amount
Water your young trees - the correct amount
Warmer, drier weather has come to many parts of our watershed community so we would like to remind you of the need to water trees, especially young trees, each week.
For tips on making sure your tree gets enough water - but not too much - please download this fact sheet:
- Proper Tree Planting and Watering Techniques (200 KB - Medium-sized PDF file)
Watering trees is most critical during the first two years following transplanting.
One good soaking per week is better than frequent light watering.
Composted Wood Chip Mulch reduces soil water loss, cools soil temperatures and adds organic matter to the soil as it decomposes. About two inches, or no more than four inches, of mulch is recommended.
Depending on soil texture and drainage, newly transplanted trees require between one and two inches of rainfall or water equivalent per week for optimum growth. Check your soil to ensure the tree is getting adequate water by digging six inches (15 cm) deep near the edge of the roots. Too little, or too much water and your tree will suffer. If the soil is moist, delay watering for a couple of days. If the soil is dry and cracked, the tree needs water.
More frequent watering is needed on rapidly drained sandy or gravelly soils. Less water will be necessary on poorly drained clay soils.
Do not water during periods of municipal water restriction.
The best, most efficient way to water your trees is to give your tree a steady trickle of water, not a powerful gush. (If the water is too strong it just runs off – carrying away soil and not helping the tree at all.) How do you get the steady flow of water your tree needs? Set your garden hose to low water pressure. When you do this, the roots of your tree get the moisture it needs and it should flourish.
You can use a large water tank or long hose. The time it takes to fill a five-gallon pail gives you an idea of how long to water each tree before moving on to the next one.
Water your tree this way once a week during the growing season if there has been no rain. Give your tree a chance and it will help in many ways in the future – helping to provide shade to cool you; to capture runoff and protect water and air; and to capture carbon and other greenhouse gases, helping reduce impacts and creating resiliency for your property and your community.