Arbor care can be tricky. It poses all sorts of questions, like how often should trees get watered?The truth is there isn’t a firm answer to that. Different tree species will need different amounts of watering, and certain environments will require more moisture for trees to flourish in than others.
At ABC Scapes, we know that there are a few good rules of thumbs you can use to find out when a tree needs to be watered. If you want to know how you can find out when your trees need to be watered keep these things in mind the next time you’re tending to them.
How Much Water Does Your Tree Need?
The amount of water your tree needs and the frequency in which you’ll need to water it depends on a variety of factors. These factors include:
- The age of the tree
- The species of the tree
- The time of year
- The weather
- The type of soil your tree is planted in
A general rule of thumb is that newly planted trees will need to be watered more frequently than older, well-established trees. And it’s important to keep in mind that you CAN have too much of a good thing: Trees not getting enough water is a bad thing, but so is them getting too MUCH water. Always check the soil after you water your trees. If the soil is moist but firm, you’ve given it just the right amount of water. If the soil is soggy or muddy afterwards, then you’ve watered it for too long.
Watering New Trees
A new tree that gets planted should be watered immediately. For its first couple of growing seasons you’ll want to frequently water the tree. During the first two years of its life a newly planted tree will work hard at establishing its roots in the soil. This puts a lot of strain on the plant, which will need all the water it can get to sustain itself.
Deep watering will help the roots establish themselves. Make sure that the soil is moist to a depth that includes all the roots. You can also help keep the tree healthy by covering the soil with wood-chip mulch. This will help keep your tree cool and hydrated.
Watering Established Trees
Once a tree has established its roots, it won’t need to be watered as frequently. Use the tree’s soil as an indicator. If the soil is moist, your tree doesn’t need to be watered. When the soil gets dried you’ll need to get it moist again. Usually 30 seconds of streaming water from a hose is enough for your tree. Keep mulching around the tree to help the soil retain its moisture.
For more information about watering trees or tree irrigation service, give ABC Scapes a call at 602-404-0568.