Protect Your Investment This Summer
Watering Tips For Trees
Protect your investment this summer by using recommended watering techniques to keep your trees healthy. During low water years combined with summer's heat, it's important to provide deep watering to keep your trees thriving. Sprinkler irrigation just won't do the trick, especially with local drought restrictions—trees need water applied "low and slow" to reach deep roots. Read on to learn efficient ways to water trees with soaker hoses and the bucket method.
Trees Provide Big Benefits
Did you know that when you plant a tree, you're bringing big benefits to your home and the neighborhood? That's why it is important to take care of trees, especially during times of heat and low water years.
- Health: Trees purify the air we breathe by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. A tree’s roots help to purify the groundwater we drink.
- Environment: Trees provide a natural habitat for wildlife.
- Value: Healthy mature trees add an average of 10% to a property’s value and give neighborhoods an established look.
- Energy Savings: Properly planted and cared for shade trees can reduce home energy costs by up to 40%.
- Climate Control: Trees cool the air by releasing water vapor, and the earth by throwing shade.
Watering Tips For A Soaker Hose
Using a soaker hose is an efficient way to water your trees. Follow these simple steps to make sure your trees are getting the water they need.
- Attach a soaker hose to the end of your garden hose. We recommend adding a pressure regulator (usually under $10) at the base to protect your soaker hose from spliting.
- Place the soaker hose below the outermost branches of the tree, also known as the "drip line".
- Turn on the hose and water your tree.
- If you are using a weed fabric, be sure to place the soaker hose under the mat to so that the water can be absorbed more quickly.
- We recommend using a soil probe to test how deep the water is permeating the roots. This method will also help guide you on the watering duration.
Tip: Check the saturation rate with a soil probe after 10 minutes to determine how long to water to a depth of 10-12 inches. If you don't have a soil probe, dig down into the soil about two inches to check for moisture. If it takes 10 minutes to saturate to a depth of two inches, then it will take 50 minutes to water to a depth of 10 inches.
Watering Tips For The "Bucket Method"
This watering method is recommended for trees that are two years or younger, or smaller trees like Crape Myrtles.
- You'll need a five gallon bucket. Drill a 1/8" hole in the side of the bucket and tape holes when filling with water.
- Once you have filled the bucket, place at the base of the tree, removing tape to allow water to run out.
- Move the bucket to different locations around the tree to saturate all the roots around the "drip line".
- Refill bucket and repeat as needed. Ten gallons of water per week should be sufficient for a tree of this age.
