During very hot, dry summers, trees can suddenly become a priority, because it takes many years to replace them if they die. A lawn can be replaced in only a few weeks or months. If you enter a drought season, be sure to water the trees and let the lawn go. It is important that we understand how to water trees efficiently. Trees are an asset to the property value of any home.

No, water conservation isn’t very sexy, but water shortages have hit certain parts of the country hard.

The common way of watering trees is to just grab the water hose and start spraying water everywhere, at all times during the day. This wastes a lot of water and is not very efficient. It’s best to follow a watering guideline.

Tree Watering Guideline

1. Water in late evening. If that’s not possible, water early in the morning. Never water in the middle of the day. Evaporation makes it the least efficient time of day for watering. You will waste water this way.

2. Mulch a heavy 4-inch layer around the tree. Keep the mulch 6 inches away from the bark of the tree. To help save on mulch costs, use discarded newspapers as a thick, bottom layer. Don’t use ads with ink on them, because this might contain harmful chemicals. Stick with paper products only.

3. Water 1–3 feet below the ground in order to reach the tree roots. Remember, tree roots do not grow on top of the ground. They are generally 3 feet below the surface of maturing trees.

4. Saturate below the surface of the dripline of the tree. The dripline is the outer part of the tree canopy, along the outer perimeter of leaf growth. Water around all of the dripline.

5. Water heavy and water deep. Using a small amount of water is not as productive. It is better to completely soak the ground less often, rather than using small amounts more frequently.

6. It’s a good idea to form a ring of dirt around the dripline of the tree. A small mound of dirt will hold the water around the tree, preventing it from draining away from the tree.

7. Overhead spraying of leaves is not recommended at all, especially during a drought. Water at the roots only.

8. How much to water? The general rule is 10 gallons per inch of trunk. General formula: Tree Diameter x 5 minutes = Total Watering Time. (Example: If you have a 4-inch tree, it should take 40 gallons of water. Multiply by 5 minutes to equal total watering time of 20 minutes.) [Source: Caring for Trees in a Dry Climate]

9. Use bath or shower water when possible. Catch the gutter water and use.

10. DO NOT ever fertilize any plant during dry weather. Fertilizing during dry periods will kill a tree, shrub, or vegetable. Just use water only. Avoid any type of lawn herbicide near the tree during a drought.

11. Avoid planting new trees during a drought. This isn’t good gardening.

12. Don’t wait for the leaves to curl or turn yellow. If it’s an unusually dry summer start watering immediately. You’ll lose the tree if you don’t water, especially if it’s a new planting. For more efficiency, find better tools to get the job done right. Please share your gardening tips with readers. Gardening is a relaxing hobby.

Watering Tools To Do A Proper Job

Yard Butler WST-1 Tree Watering Tool — Trees and shrubs need periodic deep watering. Using the Yard Butler WST-1 Deep Root Irrigator, apply enough water to wet the entire root zone and to encourage deep rooting.

Ross 1200C Heavy Duty Tree & Shrub Root Feeder 12044 — While this is a root feeder and one shouldn’t fertilize during dry weather, many gardeners use this as a watering tool. The idea is to empty the fertilizer out before dry weather. This tool alone will save a tree during a drought.

Gilmour 13 Brass 2-Way Connector — This type is much better than the cheap plastic ones.

Orbit 62001 Lawn and Garden Digital Watering Timer — The Orbit 62001 automatic timer takes the hassle out of watering the landscape.

Orbit 91213 One-Dial Garden Hose Digital Water Timer — Cycles easily from set clock, set watering time, how often, how long, then run program.