Tag How to water

Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what’s wrong? Let us know!

I have a sprinkler system in my yard. Do I need to do anything special for my trees?

We have discussed the watering needs of trees before, but proper watering is something that cannot be reinforced enough. Even when North Texas is not in a drought condition, the summers are long and hot and take their toll on every yard and green space.

While in-ground sprinkler systems can do a great job of providing water to turf grass and smaller landscape features, trees need particular care and attention when it comes to watering. Most sprinkler set-ups, unfortunately, do not provide enough water in the right areas to keep large trees hydrated. However, the simple addition of a garden or soaker hose to your watering routine can keep all your trees healthy during the hottest parts of the year. The best method of watering depends upon the age and size of the tree.

How Should I Water A New Tree?

Newly-planted trees are already in a vulnerable state, having been stressed from the transplantation process. Even when properly planted, a young tree can easily succumb to under- or over-watering.

• Young trees require watering more often than older, established trees.
  • It can take some time to properly determine the best watering schedule for your trees.
• To start, use a garden hose to water all around the root area of the tree.
  • If the tree has been well-mulched, you may have a small “basin” around the trunk.
  • Fill this area, let it soak in, and then fill it again.
• After this initial watering, check the root area soil every two to three days for moisture.
  • Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty!
  • You need to feel how wet the soil is to a depth of 12 to 18 inches.
    • A screwdriver can be useful to test the firmness of the soil, but using your hands to feel for moisture is best.
  • If the soil is dry, water again.
  • If the soil is still wet, wait another day or two and check again.
• The exact watering schedule for your tree depends on
  • Composition of the soil
  • How well the soil drains
  • Other plants competing for the water
  • Weather
• Ideally, you want to keep the entire root zone moist, but not soggy, to a depth of 12 to 18 inches.
  • As the weather changes, be sure to adjust your watering routine accordingly.

How Do I Water a Mature Tree?

Watering a mature, established tree allows for a greater margin-of-error than tending to a newly-planted one. As trees grow, they develop the ability to store more water in their root systems so they can survive periods of drought.

• It is important to water the entire root zone, under and beyond the canopy dripline.
• Wet the soil to a depth of 12 to 18 inches.
  • Use of a screwdriver or other probe can be helpful in determining soil moisture below the surface.
• Once the root area is properly watered, it may not need to be watered again for one to two weeks or more, depending on the weather.
• Regular monitoring is key to maintaining the proper level of moisture.

Can I Water a Tree Too Much?

Trees, both young and old, are as stressed by too much water as they are by not enough. The signs of over-watering can often be mistaken for under-watering.

• Soggy soil is the first and biggest sign of over-watering.
  • If there is standing water, or the ground is squishy, the soil is waterlogged and needs time to dry out.
• Yellowing leaves can be a sign of both over-and under-watered trees
  • If the leaves are leathery, rather than dry, or hard to pull off the tree, it is likely that the tree has been watered too much.
• Visible fungus activity, such as mushrooms at the base or on the trunk of the tree, is a sure sign that there is too much water present.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! The wet spring we had in 2020 caused a lot of fungal issues with trees in North Texas. Over-watering during the summer can extend the duration of those issues, or cause them to get worse. Under-watering during the hottest parts of the year can lead to tree decline and death. Don’t rely on your sprinkler system to do all the work! Check your trees regularly for signs of over- or under-watering and make adjustments as necessary. If you have any questions about your watering schedule or your trees’ health, let us know! We are always happy to have one of our arborists out to evaluate your tree and provide recommendations for how best to care for them.

Summer in Dallas can seem to last forever and just like we need to keep ourselves hydrated, we need to make sure our urban forest has the water it needs. However, tree watering can be challenging to do correctly. We made this guide to help you make sure you’re not watering too little (or too much!).

Watering your trees might sound unnecessary; isn’t that what their deep roots are for? However, roots only work if there is enough moisture in the ground to absorb. In a city setting, however, that often isn’t the case, and our urban trees are left thirsty in the Dallas heat.

With a large portion of the Southwest United States constantly struggling against drought, consistent and correct watering is key. But what does that mean? Is more better? How often and when? See our top tips below for answers to all of your Dallas tree care and watering questions.

Dallas Tree Care – Tip Top Tree Tips

At Texas Tree Surgeons we know that trees have specific needs, but those needs are often overlooked. If you want your trees to really thrive you need to have the right information. We have put together some important points to keep in mind:

• What time is best for tree watering? This is a great and common question we receive when working with Dallas tree care and watering, and it’s actually easy to remember! Only water with the rule of 8, meaning you can water before 8AM or after 8PM. Simple, right?
• What method is best for tree watering? This can be tricky, as many tree owners think that their sprinklers are enough, but if sprinklers provide the right amount of water for your small flowers and grass, how could it be enough for your trees too? Trees need a greater water source because they are larger. Use a soaker hose or garden hose for best results.
• What can I do to help trees retain moisture? Some people have asked what, in addition to watering, they can do to give their trees the upper hand against the Texas heat, and if there’s one thing Texas Tree Surgeons know how to do, it’s beat the heat. If you want the water you put in the ground to stay in the ground, consider mulching, as this helps trees retain moisture and regulates the evaporation. Check out our recent post on mulching!
• What should I avoid when watering my trees? Texas Tree Surgeons and our Dallas Tree Care Guide recommend never using herbicides on your lawn, or products (like fertilizers) high in nitrogen, as this can open the door to leaf-scald during drought conditions. Ask a certified arborist what soil amendments are right for your trees!
• What is the best way to water my trees? If you are going to use a garden hose to water your trees, make sure you follow these 3 Dallas tree care steps. 1) Place the hose 1-2 feet from the root flare. 2) Let the hose run at a volume that is flowing but not enough to puddle or stream away. 3) Soak the entire area under the canopy of the tree for best results. And of course, always remember to let the ground around your tree’s base completely dry between waterings.

Dallas Tree Care – Omens of Overwatering

Now that Texas Tree Surgeons has given you the Dallas Tree Care Guidelines for how to water your trees, it’s important to go over how NOT to water your trees. After all, too much water can actually drown your trees! See the 3 quickest signs of overwatering below, so you can be in the know.

1. Check the top of the root ball to look for saturation – your foot should not sink below grade.
2. Leaves of an overwatered tree may appear yellow or feel leathery.
3. Leaves of an overwatered tree may be difficult to pull from the tree.

Just like with people, too much of a good thing is no longer good, so make sure you have the right moisture balance for your trees, just like you do for yourself.

Do You Have a Tree in Need of Dallas Tree Care?

We hope our Dallas Tree Care Guide to Tree Watering helped hydrate your knowledge and refresh your outlook on how to best care for your trees. At Texas Tree Surgeons, we truly believe that trees can become an important part of the community, and so it’s important to take care of them. Look here to see just how much of an impact a giant Pecan can have on a town!

If you think one of your trees might be in need of some assistance don’t hesitate to call, as Texas Tree Surgeons are here to help! We love all trees and would love to check yours out and make sure they are healthy, happy and thriving. Give us a call today at 469-387-6000!

UPDATE 9/2019 – As summer drags on, we often get questions about watering for other landscaping, not just trees, and we wanted to add a link to a comprehensive guide to watering and how to get the most out of your efforts. Thanks to Gary Ashton from Nashville, Tennessee, for the post!

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, and we want to give you all the tools and information you need to keep your plants healthy during our sweltering summers! As always, if you have any questions about proper tree watering, tree health care, or anything else about your trees, let us know!