A 2" to 3" layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or pine straw, helps conserve moisture and keeps weeds at bay. ![]() It's best to keep a large (3' plus), turf-free circle around the trunk. Grass growing under trees will intercept much of the water you apply, keeping it from reaching plant roots. Watering deeply, on the other hand, encourages deep, drought-tolerant roots. That's because shallow waterings encourage tree roots to remain near the soil surface where they're prone to drying out. Trees do better with less frequent but deeper soakings - a heavy soaking once a week is much better than a shallow watering every few days. Most irrigation systems are programmed to apply frequent, shallow waterings. My irrigation system waters my lawn regularly. A common mistake is to apply frequent shallow waterings that don't soak deeply into the soil. Frequently Asked QuestionsĪs a general rule of thumb, apply an inch of sprinkler irrigation or enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of 10" or more for mature trees. If possible, avoid watering during the hottest part of the day - 10 a.m. Our Snip-n-Spray Garden and Landscape Sprinkler System has ground-level sprinklers suitable for watering trees. Because it waters one spot at a time, you'll need to move the bubbler around. Encircle a tree with a spiral of soaker hose and run it for an hour or more - as long as it takes for water to penetrate 6" or 8", using the screwdriver test.Ī Pressure Regulator improves the efficiency and prolongs the life of soaker hoses.īubblers are hose-end devices that reduce the velocity of the water, so it soaks in rather than running off. Soaker hoses are an efficient way to water trees because they're porous and release water slowly. It may take several hours to properly water a single mature tree.Ī soaker hose, such as the one in our Snip-n-Drip Soaker System, applies water slowly so it soaks in rather than running off. ![]() Trees are better served by watering methods that apply water slowly, right at soil level. Overhead sprinklers are the easiest way to cover large expanses, but they're inefficient, losing up to half the water to evaporation. This technique works best in clay and loam soils. If you can't poke it in at least 6", it's time to water. It will pass easily into moist soil, but be difficult to push into dry soil. The easiest way to check soil moisture is to take a long (8"-plus) screwdriver and poke it into the soil. To prevent rot, don't apply water to the area directly around the trunk. Ideally, you should moisten the soil to a depth of 10" each time you water. When watering established trees, provide a deep, soaking irrigation to the entire area beneath the tree canopy and extending several feet beyond the drip line. Although some anchor roots may reach deep into the soil, most tree roots are concentrated in the upper 12" to 18" of soil. In reality, an established tree's roots usually extend well beyond the edge of the canopy, or drip line. ![]() It's a common misconception that a tree's roots are a mirror image of the aboveground canopy. Once a tree is established, apply water in a wide band around the outer reaches of the tree's canopy, called the dripline. Excessive watering can make a tree dependent on irrigation rather than resilient enough to survive on what nature normally provides." We don't want to water so much or so often that we encourage more canopy growth than the soil, climate and tree species can support during normal rainfall years. But during extended periods of drought, all trees benefit from supplemental watering.Īccording to Skip Richter, County Agent with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Houston, during periods of drought, "the goal is to provide just enough supplemental irrigation to maximize growth on young trees and to keep older, established trees healthy. As a rule, newly planted and young trees require more frequent watering than older, well-established trees. The amount of water a tree needs depends on many factors, including the age and species of the tree, the time of year, weather and soil type. ![]() According to the Texas Forestry Service, more than 5 million urban and landscape trees in Texas alone have been lost due to drought, so it's important to take care of surviving trees and nurture replacement trees with proper watering. When dry weather continues for an extended period, landscape trees depend on homeowners for water. The Landscape Snip-n-Drip Soaker System is an easy and effective way to water trees.
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