During current drought conditions, it is critical that you water your established, mature trees. Of course, we want to make sure we take care of plants and lawns too, but be sure your trees are getting enough water. Here’s how.
Trees, especially mature shade trees, provide huge benefits for our environment and they’re difficult and expensive to replace. How could you even put a price tag on a 30-year-old mature Oak tree?
With summer temps and a lack of depth moisture in the ground due to drought conditions, mature trees need a slow, deep watering every 2 to 4 weeks. If your trees are showing signs of stress, (looking dull, dropping leaves), water them deeply once a week to rehydrate. You can accomplish proper, deep watering by placing a sprinkler between the trunk of the tree and the drip line (edge of the tree canopy) and running it for 45 mins. Then, move the sprinkler 1/3 of the way around the tree and repeat until you’ve watered all the way around. Check your sprinkler placement to be sure you’re not watering the street, the sidewalk, etc. Here’s a simple top-view illustration.
It’s critical to water trees sufficiently and create depth moisture now in case the drought is prolonged. The more stressed trees get, the more difficult it is to bring them back to good health.
–DeAnna
Catherine Bridges says
James, the wild olive leaves are yellowing.
james says
It’s normal for trees to cast off leaves during a drought condition. So recognize that leaf drop Is part of the trees way to adjust to drought. But a little help from you with an occasional deep watering will be appreciated. Just don’t water frequently, Unless the tree was planted in the last year or less
Catherine Bridges says
My wild olive is looking extremely stressed, same schedule?
james says
Wild olive trees are from a very dry region, primarily northern Mexico, and are very well drought adapted. A very smart landscaper I know always planted his on a mound so they would dry out faster. Once a month watering would not hurt but I would say that unless it’s a newly planted tree it doesn’t even require that much to survive.
Gene Tackett says
A Magnolia tree perhaps 40+ years old is showing signs of stress. I have been using a probe to water the tree 24″ down. Should I water at a more shallow depth?
DeAnna says
Yes, the upper 6-8 inches is where you should concentrate your moisture.
paton white says
I have 3 mature oak trees surrounded by a deck. What is the best way to water them?
DeAnna says
Do you have room to place a pulsating sprinkler to shoot under the deck? Could you serpentine a soaker hose under the deck over the root system.? You have to get water to the root zone from under or through the deck, but only once a month since the trees are established and shaded.