forest trees

Landscaping your property to appear healthy, lush, and green can be challenging, starting from scratch without a green thumb. A key factor that most people know, whether gardening fans or not, is that the trees, shrubs, and flower beds will need water to thrive or, at minimum, survive.

A tree, for instance, can only grow to maturity with sufficient water. This care and upkeep need to be performed routinely when young and developing. You’ll receive much better results if you research the best watering techniques for your trees.

Or reach out to a reputable nursery or arborist for guidance. Please visit https://legacytreecompany.com for a trusted resource. Once adequate methods are taught, the foliage will not only start to thrive but will go on to enjoy a healthy, quality life.

Let’s consider a few tips and tricks on the correct watering care for your new treelings so they can grow into strong, mature, full-grown.

What’s The Correct Watering Procedure For Trees

Most homeowners understand trees need to be watered, even those not versed in gardening. But many are uncertain of the method behind watering. In the same way, humans require varied nutrients in their diet; each tree needs different water levels.

As a rule, with all living things, moderation is a priority. All the same, it’s essential to strike a balance. The trees shouldn’t be overwatered, but at the same time, you don’t want to give them too little, either.

The foliage itself will indicate how much water it should receive. Go here for guidance on watering young trees.

Consider these suggestions on how much water to give each tree when caring for the foliage.

The tree’s size will be a determining factor.

Although a few trees of the same species are in your garden, each will receive a different hydration level. The tree’s size indicates the amount of water to provide. If you have a few crabapple trees, the most water will go to the one with the largest trunk.

This is probably also the most mature tree. While it will receive the greatest amount of water at one time, it will be watered less often than the younger trees. Younger trees need frequent hydration in fewer amounts while their root system is becoming established.

The root system is a primary consideration when determining the water level for a tree.

The root growth of some trees is not as deep as others, like the willow. That gives the foliage only access to the soil’s superficial level, where evaporation happens much more quickly. Under these circumstances, it would be necessary to routinely check for moisture since the roots, close to the surface, can dry out rapidly.

Instead, trees that fall into this category are fitted with a “drip irrigation system.” It’s essentially an automatic method for watering as water is gradually dispensed into the soil as long as it’s in operation.

A sprinkler system isn’t the same for foliage as it is for a lawn

Many homeowners incorporate a sprinkler system into their landscape to keep the lawn green throughout the extreme heat of the summer. These work well for that purpose, but the same concept doesn’t work for shrubs or trees. A sprinkler doesn’t aim for the roots, which is the objective when watering the plants.

The sprinkler will saturate the entire plant, possibly leading to insect infestation and fungi growth on the leaves. This water will also rapidly evaporate in windy or hot conditions. You could be hydrating with the exact amount the trees need, but the plants are not receiving adequate hydration when it doesn’t go to the roots.

Testing the soil is important.

Many people refer to plant hydration as “watering plants,” when in reality, the process involves adding water to the root system or the soil instead of the foliage. When water container plants, the recommendation is to “hydrate up to ½ the volume of the pot.”

Test the soil for moisture when uncertain or how to know when that limit has been achieved. You don’t want it to be soppy, but it should be damp. When doing a moisture check, especially in dry and windy conditions, sometimes looking or a touch won’t be an adequate indication.

The surface can readily become dry. A good test is to use any metal or wooden stick to see if the soil below the surface is wet. The rod should be inserted roughly “four inches” to see if it comes out clean. If so, the tree will need to be watered because that’s an indication the soil is dry.

Final Thought

Some prospective gardeners believe trees should have cold water in the summer to “cool them down” from the extreme temperatures and warmer water in the cooler months to warm up the soil. The plants should have lukewarm water to avoid shocking the foliage.

The temperature should range roughly “70 degrees” with the water dispensed evenly around the base’s perimeter to saturate the root system. If not don’t evenly, the growth will be adversely affected, with the plant developing healthfully on only one side.

If you’re uncertain if you’ve given your plant enough water, check the soil with a stick, screwdriver, or a finger digging down roughly 3-4 inches to see if it’s dry. If so, you’ll need to start providing more with each session.