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
Debra Phillips says
I have a question concerning Poinciana tree. Mine got cut down with the freeze but I saved one pod a friend of mine got it open and now I have five little trees growing in a pot 5 gallon pot. I’m not sure how long I should keep them in the pot before planting them in the ground? What’s the best way to make them grow and develop into a beautiful tree, should I keep trimming the leaves on the top till the bark is heavy and strong enough? And if it’s sitting in my yard so it can have full sun how am I going to keep the root from growing into the yard? I’d like them to be planted around a playground because they have no shade. I thought I would grow them until next year and maybe have some boy scouts plant them for me.
james says
I would suggest planting those trees into the ground in late October or anytime November. Best to let them get some good root growth over the winter time before facing another hot summer.
Marie says
Thanks Deanna. Helpful information. I will try that watering technique. I’m worried about our trees. We have to balance our tree/plant watering with current water restrictions in our neighborhood.
James says
Then Marie, I suggest you stretch your watering to the longest interval, that is a deep watering once a month if we don’t get any substantial rain.