TREE HYDRATION 101

Feb 12

Water is a vital resource for all living organisms. The primary plant processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration rely on water to function properly. Water combines with carbon dioxide and sunlight to make sugar which feeds the tree (photosynthesis). To grow, trees then use stored carbohydrates and water to convert the sugars back into energy (respiration). Trees absorb water through their roots and cool surroundings by releasing water vapor in the air through their leaves (transpiration), This is how the tree breathes and regulates its temperature.

All newly installed trees need to be individually watered for the first year. Knowing how much water your plant needs depends on several factors, such as tree type and size, location, temperature, amount of recent rainfall, site drainage, sun and wind exposure, soil composition, and the list goes on.

Here are some helpful general rules that will be a good starting point for your tree:

Before Planting: Proper watering starts at planting!When we install your new plant or tree we make sure to “water it in.” We make sure to saturate the root ball and the surrounding soil where the new plant will live. Delivering 2-3 gallons of water per inch of its trunk in diameter helps give it the best chance.
Your tree needs 1”-2” of water a week to thrive.
You can calculate how many gallons that is by multiplying the square footage of the area surrounding the tree out to the dripline (the area where the canopy extends to) by .062, which represents 1” of water over 1 square foot of soil.
You can then divide that by the flow rate of your hose or water delivery system.
- number of Minutes of Watering = (0.62 X the square feet of the area of coverage/flow rate
- For example, 100 sq ft of soil area X 0.62 / a flow rate of 2 gallons per minute = 31 minutes of watering.

Watering Tips

Place a hose with a slower drip on the soil over the root ball and move it throughout the root zone (dripline) so the roots and soil can fully absorb the water.
During a spring with average rainfall, your trees won’t need additional water. However, during the summer when the weather is hot/dry, you’ll need to water your trees to give them an additional 1”-2” of water per week.
Utilize a moisture meter to check the moisture level of the soil around your tree. (If you purchase a budget moisture meter, check the sensitivity of it every few weeks as they lose accuracy with time.
Overwatering can be just as harmful as underwatering so be monitor how much water you’re giving your trees.
The best time to water trees is in the morning or evening.
Add a mulch ring around your tree to insulate the soil, suppress weeds, and slow water evaporation from the soil.
Avoid using irrigation heads that spray the trunk or leaves of a tree because it causes fungal issues and encourages rot.

Considering an Irrigation System?

Irrigation systems are a great way to conveniently give your plants and lawn the water they need and can be custom designed for your landscape's specific needs. We would love to help you design and install the perfect system for your landscape! Contact us for more information.