In times of drought, when it hasn’t rained for a month or more, large, mature trees will need water to survive. And for at least two years after planting new trees, it should be watered every couple of weeks, and more frequently in dry weather.
For large mature trees, you should water them by soaking the ground in the drip zone of the canopy and not near the trunk. Turn a hose on and just run it don’t the ground and move it periodically.
Many homeowners believe that rain will suffice to keep their trees hydrated. When trees are young or the weather is dry, though, your watering can make a big difference in their health and survival. Let’s understand this process more deeply.
When to water mature trees
When the top 6 to 9 inches of soil in the root zone are dry, it’s time to water a tree. Dig a small hole under the plant canopy using a spade or hand trowel and feel the dirt. No water is required if the soil is cool and moist 6 to 9 inches below the surface. It’s time to water if the soil is dry.
Wilting of leaves or branches
Temporary wilting is the first visible sign that trees and shrubs need to be watered.
Leaves wilt and droop during the day during transient wilting, but rebound at night and appear normal the next morning.
Wilting begins at the highest center of an established tree canopy and progresses downward. It is difficult to spot, especially in a mature, tall shade tree. However, monitoring soil dryness and watering when the top 6 to 9 inches of soil are dry is more effective.
- During the dry season, water trees 2 to 3 times per week for the first few months, then every 3 to 4 days until the rainy season. During exceptionally dry, hot weather, it may be required to water more regularly.
- When rain is scarce during the rainy season and the winter months, irrigate trees planted in late winter to early spring on a weekly basis. With the arrival of warm, dry weather, begin deep watering once or twice a week – water thoroughly.
- Many trees will benefit from two or three deep soakings in the fourth or fifth year. Most established trees will benefit from heavy irrigation on a regular yet irregular basis, especially during the dry season. Keep an eye on your tree.
How much water to use
Under-watering and over-watering
One of the most difficult aspects of plant parenting is determining when and how much to water your plants. Because both overwatering and underwatering are equally damaging to your plants, finding a happy medium – the sweet spot – is crucial. Let’s look at some suggestions for achieving the ideal balance.
Tips if you are under-watering
If your plant is under-watered, give it a hearty drink of water, taking care to get the water down to the roots, and consider cutting the time between watering in half. A decent rule of thumb is to examine the soil for moisture with your finger. Go ahead and water as soon as you sense it’s dry at least 2″ down.
Tips for over watering
Overwatering can cause trees and plants to drown due to a lack of oxygen in the soil, as well as root rot and fungus growth in wet soil. It can also be misunderstood as pest damage. When leaves are splashed with water too frequently, mold might form, so try to avoid getting leaves wet when watering.
If trees and shrubs suffer from under-watering, which stunts their growth and health, overwatering is wasteful and can be damaging to the health of trees and shrubs.
Over-watering causes water to enter pore spaces that would typically get occupied by oxygen. It may result in root suffocation and a deterioration in the health of the tree or shrub.
Watering plan
For established trees, a general rule of thumb is 10 gallons of water per inch of diameter. To measure, place a ruler at knee height or make your best guess.
When it comes to trees, the “how” is maybe the most crucial aspect of watering. Drip lines are the favored technique of irrigation because they are slow and deep (although spray from a garden hose will certainly work). In comparison to overhead watering or sprinkler systems, drip irrigation loses less water via evaporation.
Deep watering permits the root zone to absorb sufficient moisture. When installing a drip line, make sure it covers the full area beneath the tree’s canopy as well as a safe distance away.
Measuring tree rooted spread
The root system of a tree grows in a spoke-like arrangement, with roots extending through the earth from a central point below the tree trunk. Knowing how far roots have spread is crucial for adequately watering trees. You can use a ruler or yardstick to determine the diameter of the trunk. Use a measuring tape to determine the circumference of the trunk.
Most tree roots spread 2-3 times the radius of the canopy, and often reach out 5 times the radius of the tree canopy or more in dry conditions.
So, for example, if a tree is 6m wide, the radius of the canopy is 3m.
The root spread = 2 (to 3) x canopy radius = 2 (to 3) x 3m = 6m (to 9m).
Therefore the roots will radiate out from the trunk to a distance of 6m to 9m, and up to 5 x 3m =15m.
Why mature trees need water
Water is necessary to strengthen their roots, and after growth begins, it functions as a carrier for mineral nutrients and food distribution.
Tree cells expand by increasing their volume, and in order to do so, they must absorb water. Furthermore, all metabolic processes require an aquatic environment to function. Water plays a lot of key roles in the plant’s physiology.
Photosynthesis and growth will halt as a result which results in the reduction of Plant yield. Therefore the use of irrigation water is intended to avoid this problem.
Methods of watering mature trees
Depending on where the tree got planted, the climate, and the amount of capital you are willing to invest there are several methods of watering trees.
Lawn irrigation
A lawn sprinkler system is an easy and effective approach to water mature trees that are planted in/near the lawn. Keep in mind that the turf and tree roots are both in the same rooting region and use the same water. The idea is to provide the lawn with enough water to compensate for evaporation. This is the amount of water utilized and lost by the plants due to evaporation.
Soaker hoses
Trees are an efficient way to water since they are porous and release water slowly, allowing for deep-root watering. Wrap a spiral of soaker hose around the tree and let it run for an hour or more, or as long as it takes for water to penetrate 6 to 10 inches. Applying one inch of water may take several hours. Depending on hose size and pressure.
Are deep root watering devices effective for mature trees?
Deep root watering devices are ineffective for irrigating trees since the bulk of tree roots are not located deep within the soil profile. Furthermore, the device must get moved around the tree frequently, which takes time. A sprinkler and a hose are better alternatives.