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Ten Things to Keep in Mind as You Water Your Trees This Summer
We recently came across a somewhat unusual story about how water from leaky pipes in Austin, Texas helps trees along a creek to grow and to survive drought conditions. Of course we don’t think you should have leaky pipes (get a plumber to fix them!), but the story got us thinking about the idea of supplemental watering during the hot summer months. We thought we’d share ten things you might want to keep in mind that could help you and your trees during the hot summer months.
Slow and Deep
Generally speaking, it is better to water your trees slowly and deeply (so the water goes through the top six to eight inches of soil) than it is to water your trees quickly and lightly. The general idea is that you want to reach the roots of the tree and provide the tree with enough water. Related to this, it is generally better to water less frequently and for a longer period of time, than it is to water more frequently for shorter periods of time.
Check Soil
One way you can tell if you are watering adequately is to check the soil. A day after you water your trees, dig into the soil around them to a depth of around eight inches. You can use a trowel or a screwdriver for this. If the soil is dry, you may not have watered enough. If there is water present, you may have watered too much. Generally you are looking for soil that is moist, but not soaked. By checking your soil periodically, you can get a better understanding of the water needs of your trees. This might vary by tree and the location on your property.
Keep an Eye on Rain
How much water you give your trees can vary depending on rainfall. By keeping an eye on the rain, you can avoid watering right before or after rain, and avoid wasting water. You can also adjust how much you water by how much rain falls. This also relates to the idea of watering based on conditions, rather than just by a set schedule. Although you might start with a schedule, adjusting it based on conditions can help you to water properly.
Keep an Eye on Temperatures
Similarly, keeping an eye on temperatures can give you a guide to whether you may need to water more or less. Generally speaking, your trees will need more water in hotter conditions than they do in conditions that are less hot. They will also generally need more water the longer hotter conditions persist. By monitoring temperatures, you can adjust your watering to meet the needs of your trees.
Mulch
As we’ve mentioned before, mulching properly can help retain moisture in the soil, lessening the amount of supplemental watering your trees might need. Applying mulch is something simple you can do to help your trees throughout the summer.
Healthy Trees
Generally, a healthy tree can do better in hot conditions and during drought conditions than one that is not healthy, and might tolerate more variation in the amount of water it receives. On the other side, by watering your trees appropriately throughout the year, you can take a step toward maintaining their health.
The Condition of Your Trees
In addition to the health of a tree, other things can influence how much water it might need. This includes the species of the tree, its age, where it’s planted, how long ago it was planted, soil conditions, and more. For example, a younger recently planted tree might need to be watered more frequently than an older established tree. Taking these things into consideration can help you to adjust your watering to meet your trees’ needs.
Follow Water Restrictions
Depending on where you live, you might have watering restrictions during the summer as well as other months. Be sure and follow these and adjust your watering to comply.
Have Automatic Watering Systems Inspected
If you have an automatic watering system, it can be a good idea to have it inspected. Sprinkler heads can get damaged, timers can be off, rain sensors might not be set correctly, and so forth. Having a professional inspect your watering system can help you uncover problems, save water, and water your trees in a proper way.
Arborist consultation
An arborist consultation can be great for determining the watering needs of your trees. They can inspect the trees on your property, assess their condition, and help you develop a plan for their watering. They can use their experience and knowledge to help you water your trees in the right way.
These are just some ideas. There are of course more, such as how water should be applied and where. We didn’t give you a schedule or guidelines for watering here, because as noted in the ideas above, that should be adjusted based on your specific situation. These ideas though can give you a start for some things to think about as you plan how you will water your trees this summer.
If you’d like to speak with an arborist to learn about the watering needs of your trees, and are in the Austin area, contact us at (512) 546-3833 or email us at frontdesk@arbortrue.com to schedule an appointment. An arborist can help you determine what might be right for your situation.
If you found learning about watering during the summer interesting, be sure and check out our other TrueTreeTalk blog posts. Follow us on Facebook to keep up with these and other posts.
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ArborTrue is a science-based tree-service company. We provide a range of services including tree trimming, tree pruning, tree removal, tree planting, arborist consultations, and more. Reach out to us online to schedule an appointment.
