What kind of watering do trees need? Different trees require different amounts of water, with the young, new trees requiring the most care. When asked about what kind of watering trees need, our panel of...
When asked about what kind of watering trees need, our panel of top experts from Greenview Landscaping including Johanna who has been a landscape designer with the company since 2002, Ben who is a landscape design/build manager, and Tom who serves as the company's maintenance manager, says, "It depends on the stage of the tree, i.e. if it is just newly planted. We recommend watering three times a week until the tree is well established, but older more established trees rarely need water, only the rainfall when it comes along. If it is a new tree, then you need to go on a regular program until that tree gets established." This is when the tree is at its most vulnerable and needs the correct mixture of nutrients, sun and moisture in order to give it a healthy start. The better care that it gets now will give the tree a better chance of thriving during any uncertain conditions that it may face in the future.
The panel of experts goes on to say that there are other factors that need to be taken into consideration when deciding on what kind of watering a tree needs such as depending "a lot on the type of tree. So, you should know what you have. For example, if you have a palm tree that is planted in the lawn, it requires more water. It also depends on the type of soil you have. If you have soils that retain water, it would not be necessary to water it unless you have really dry sandy soil."
Another thing to remember is to not count on a newly planted tree getting enough moisture from the rainfall, even if it is raining regularly like during the spring. The panel of experts comments that, even though, "you might be getting rain, there may be a lot of wind as well, and that can really dry things out." Also, make sure to check the tree frequently because "the trees will lose a lot of moisture through the new leaves in the spring."
The panel of experts states, "You have to also be careful not to over water the tree. An over-watered tree takes on some of the same characteristics of an under-watered tree. The leaves will turn yellow and fall off many times. That is the common problem when people are trying to be diligent with the watering and end up over-watering. We would recommend pulling the mulch back and actually checking the soil, even sticking your hand into the soil and see if it is still wet or not. Sometimes the mulch will be dry but the soil is still plenty wet." If you are not sure as to the type of tree or soil that you have or are just wary, it is best to consult a professional, such as a landscaper or gardener, for help on deciding what kind of watering your individual trees need.
