WHEN TO WATER
Best time to give your tree’s roots a good soaking is:
- every week to ten days
- early morning
AMOUNT TO WATER
Use approximately 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter for each watering.
Using a hose with medium pressure, you will typically generate about 2 gallons a minute, so for a tree with a 4 inch diameter trunk, water for about 20 minutes to provide 40 gallons each week.
BEST TECHNIQUE TO WATER TREES
- Deeply soak the area in the tree’s dripline (the area under the tree canopy)
- Water at a slow enough rate that the water soaks in and doesn’t run off
INSIDER TIP: Use several buckets with 1/4 inch holes drilled in the bottom—space them around the tree’s dripline, fill them with water, and let the water soak in slowly. A long soaker hose can also be spiraled around the dripline.
TIPS FOR WATERING IN HARSH CONDITIONS
HARD FREEZE WARNING: To keep your tree roots from freezing, water before a hard freeze (20 degrees F or below).
DURING DROUGHT CONDITIONS: Adequately water small (1-7 inches in trunk diameter) and medium trees (8-15 inches in trunk diameter). Trees planted in the past three years, trees that have recently gone through stress, or trees that have limited root space (in planters next to sidewalks) will need regular watering even in non-drought conditions. Healthy larger trees should withstand a drought, although they may show signs of stress.