When newly getting into planting trees, it can become confusing how much water they need, how to water them properly, and make sure that they’re not getting over-watered or under-watered.
Although there are some rules of thumb, they don’t necessarily apply to every tree as the size and age of every tree can differ. To understand this in detail, you need to know both of the things mentioned before and a few other things, including soil condition and weather condition.
Before getting into the details of how much water trees need in a day, let’s understand how water impacts the trees and plants and why it matters so much to do it the right way.
How does the condition of the soil affect tree watering
The soil condition directly impacts the amount of water that is required for the tree. There are different conditions/types of soil, so it differs with each type.
Generally, the soil type with a higher amount of clay content tends to hold water for more extended periods of time and does not require frequent watering. This happens because the water does not drain quickly from the sand. In sand conditions like these, it is better to water after the water contents are absorbed by the tree. Over-watering might lead to root damages and other conditions like root rot.
On the other hand, the sand, which is sandier than muddy, does not retain water content for long and drains the moisture quickly. Therefore, if the tree is planted into sandy soil, make sure to water it frequently. The quick draining might lead to drying conditions which can cause the tree not to go through the process of photosynthesis, which can ultimately result in the tree drying out and dying.
In both of these soil conditions, it is better to look at your soil before you decide what watering system you are going to use. For these purposes, you can do a mason jar soil test.
The mason jar soil test can quickly determine the type of sand you have, and it is a pretty simple process. Fill the mason jar one-third with soil, add water and dish soap and then shake the mason jar. Over the course of 2-3 days, all three of the components will form different proportions through which you can easily determine what kind of soil you have.
How much water do trees need
It usually depends on a number of different factors how much water your trees need. But, you can also use a “formula” to determine it. The general idea is that with every inch of the diameter of the tree, you would add 10 gallons of water.
For example, if you have a newly planted tree of 5 diameters, you should water it with 50 gallons of water every time you do it, preferably every week. So, the formula goes like “the diameter of the tree x five minutes: the total time you should water the tree for.”
So, a tree with a two-inch diameter would need somewhere around twenty gallons of water per week. So, if you have a newly grown tree, water it every week using the same formula, and then after a while, adjust to the tree’s needs by measuring the diameter again.
How to water your trees
It is believed that if your tree manages to survive through the first two years of it being planted; it is more likely to stay thriving over a long course of time and that only happens when you do it properly. A recently planted tree would require more water as it is growing rapidly in the beginning.
In addition to watering, there is mulching required as well as frequently checking for other issues too. Some things that you should keep in mind while watering your trees are:
Don’t rush the watering process. Take your time to water the soil deeply. Most people use sprinklers or lawn irrigation systems, and they don’t seem to work very well. Make sure that you take the process slowly and water your soil deeply, so the moisture really gets where it needs to be for the tree to benefit fully from it.
You can get a soaker hose to ensure that the water reaches the tree’s roots for about two hours. Place the soaker somewhere near the tree’s base and set it on slow dripping so that the water can reach the root ball while taking its time.
When you first set the garden hose to water the root ball, dig the soil near the tree’s base to make sure that you put the hose in the right place. The hose should directly reach the root ball. The time for which you should run the hose depends on the type of soil you have.
On hot days when there are more chances of frequent evaporation, such as the months from June to October, water your trees with the hose every 7-10 days. However, if there has been frequent rainfall and the soil is saturated with moisture, you should wait until the tree soaks up all the water and then water the dry soil.
When you do this, there are high chances of your tree surviving for the next two years until being grown enough to survive almost solely on natural rainfall. If you plant your tree near a lawn, it will be capable of absorbing moisture from lawn irrigation after two years, and if it is planted near a garden bed, the moisture from the garden bed would be more than enough for the tree.
In addition to watering the tree, make sure that you also focus on mulching. Using organic mulch and watering your tree correctly will ensure that it lives a long and healthy life!
Conclusion
Watering trees is crucial to help them grow effectively. However, the quantity matters a lot. Over-watering and under-watering both affect the growth heavily. Considering this, everyone needs to be aware of how much water do trees need per day, and this article is what can help you provide the correct information.
Read it yourself thoroughly and as well as share with others so that we all can take the benefit and water the trees properly.