Tree watering is an important step in promoting healthy growth. However, you should water the new tree correctly and frequently to prevent over-watering or under-watering the tree.
If you are unsure how often to water new trees, this guide covers everything you need to know about watering new trees from Bethel Park’s tree service experts. Needless to say, the steps are different from caring for mature trees.
Best Practices on How Often to Water New Trees
If you’ve just planted a new tree, it can be hard to know when to water it. Keep reading to learn more about watering your new trees.
How Often to Water New Trees
We recommend watering trees twice a week for the first month after planting and then reducing the watering frequency to once a week.
Trees need water to grow, but they don’t want too much at once—and they certainly don’t want their root systems sitting in water. If you keep your tree’s roots from drying out by watering them at least once a week, you’ll give them exactly what they need and help them get established in their new home.
How to Water a Newly Planted Tree
When thinking about how often to water new trees, follow these steps:
1. Use a soaker hose to water the soil around the tree’s base, not on top of it. Watering on top of the soil will cause it to splash up onto your leaves, damaging them and making them more susceptible to disease.
2. Water every day for the first two weeks, giving the tree approximately 1.5 gallons of water per diameter inch. After this period, you can water new trees every other day for the next two months.
3. Water until the soil is moist, then wait for it to dry before watering again. An easy way to tell if your soil is dry is by sticking your finger into it—if it feels moist, you should wait a while before watering again!
4. The best time to water your tree is when the sun isn’t too hot (in the morning or evening). This will help keep its roots cool and prevent them from drying out too quickly.
Other Considerations to Make When Watering New Trees
When deciding how often to water new trees, there are a few things to consider.
First, think about the type of tree it is. For example, if you have an evergreen tree going through a dry season, you’ll want to ensure it gets more frequent watering than if you planted it during the rainy season. You can find out what kind of tree it is by checking the tag on its root ball or looking at the landscaper’s planting diagram.
Another thing to remember is the soil type and how deep your soil is. If it’s shallow and sandy, you may need to water more frequently than if it were deeper and loamy.
Finally, note how much rain has fallen recently: If there hasn’t been much precipitation lately, your tree may need more frequent watering than if there had been plenty of rain recently.
Contact Bethel Park’s Experts for More Tree Care Advice
Tree care is a serious business. To ensure your trees are getting the best care possible, it’s important to find a reliable tree company.
At Old Growth Tree Care, we offer a wide range of services and have a team of certified arborists who can help you get started on the right track.
If you’re unsure how often to water new trees, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Our experts have years of experience and will be happy to answer any questions or concerns. Call us at (412) 213-8303 for more information.