Water = Life

Trees need regular water, especially within the first three to four years of planting.  To help them develop a strong root system, new trees should get approximately 1.5” to 2” of water per week over their entire root zone during the growing season.  If nature doesn’t supply enough rain, you should water your tree – especially during extreme heat and periods of drought such as we are presently experiencing. 

The root zone is the area from the tree’s trunk out to its drip line or furthest reach of leaves.  To minimize evaporation, water in the early morning or early evening.  Water deeply and less often.  A general rule of thumb is 10 gallons of water for each inch of trunk diameter about once a week. 

Applying a 3” organic layer of mulch also helps your tree by regulating the soil temperature, slowing water evaporation from the soil, suppressing weeds that may steal water from the tree, and enriches the water-holding capacity of the soil.  Just be careful to not pile the mulch against the tree’s trunk; mulch volcanoes can weaken and kill trees.  You can find more guidance on watering and mulching your trees on the Shade Tree Commission website at Shade Tree Commission resources page.