Tree Watering Techniques

Proper tree watering techniques help your trees remain healthy.tree image by Viera Pon from Fotolia.com

Trees use almost five times less water in cooler months than they do in the heat of summer. Knowing how and when to water your trees can help ensure that your trees do not develop problems related to under watering or over watering. Generally speaking, if you notice your tree's leaves curling or wilting, inspect the tree to see if the soil surrounding it is dry. Signs of over watering include damp soil and brittle leaves.

Know Where to Water

Trees have a root zone. This area encompasses the width and depth of the tree's root system. Typically the root zone is 1 1/2 to 4 times as wide as the top of the tree. When you water your tree, don't focus the moisture near the trunk of the tree because the root system is what actually takes in the water and soil nutrients. Focusing your watering on the root zone ensures that the tree can access the water when it needs it.

Sprinklers are a common lawn tool, but they are not effective for watering trees. Wind takes a percentage of the water away from what you are trying to water, and the water is aimed into the air instead of toward the tree's root system. A soaker hose is a perforated hose that you can wrap in a circular area over the tree's root zone. Soaker hoses help you to add water slowly to the root zone, maximizing the amount of water from which the tree can pull nutrients.

A soil probe helps you to determine how much water your tree is receiving. The probe is a thin metal rod that you insert into the soil in the root zone of your tree. Measuring is simple; the probe slides easily through wet soil, but it is difficult to move the probe when you reach dry soil. Typically root depth for a mature tree is 18 to 36 inches, so once you reach that depth, stop watering.

How long you need to water depends on quite a few variables such as weather, what type of soil you have and how much water flows through your water system. Watering your tree after you have determined that you have reached the tree's root depth will not benefit your tree.