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Water is essential for your tree’s success.
Tree Care Tips
Improper watering is probably the number one cause of new tree mortality. Under watering is more common on properly planted trees. A new tree can be dehydrated in just one day on a hot, sunny, summer day.
When: Early morning is best. Morning watering allows the plant to re-hydrate in preparation for a hot, sunny day. Everyone has heard that you should not water in the heat of the day. Ignore this advice if the plant is wilted. Water it immediately.
Irrigation: Trees planted in a flowerbed can be watered adequately by irrigation. Do not depend on lawn sprinklers to adequately water a new tree. It will not water deep enough unless you grossly over water your lawn.
Garden Hose: The best way to water a new tree is with a garden hose. Remove the spray nozzle from the end of the hose. This just reduces the flow. Turn the faucet on wide open, break the stream with your thumb and direct the water at root ball for one to two minutes. This will be plenty of water. The excess will drain off if the tree is planted properly.
You can also set the hose end at the base of the tree and allow a slow trickle to run until you have applied about one - two gallons to a 15 gallon tree and about three – four gallons on a 30 gallon tree.
DON’T’ DEPEND ON RAIN, unless you have a 3/4 “ rain gauge.
How Often: This depends on the temperature. Generally, if the temperature is over 90º it should be watered daily, over 80º water every two (2) days, over 70º every 3rd to 4th day. In other weather conditions, the tree should be watered at least on a weekly basis during the first year.
Trees in a dormant state only need watering about once a week.
Trees with lots of new growth need much more.
This is a general guideline and Bay Area Tree Experts is not responsible and provides no guarantee on the health of your new tree. |
