Texas, the forecast is calling for freezing weather this week.
It’s important to water your trees before the freeze! Read below to learn the proper way.
How do I water my trees?
Please refer to our tree planting care guide for tips on watering your new trees and the amount of water your new trees need.
How much water does my tree require?
We recommend deep watering up to 5 gallons of water per trunk caliper inch per watering day. Drier climate species (i.e., Eldarica Pines) may require only about 3 gallons of water per trunk caliper inch per watering day. Your sprinkler system will not be enough unless on a drip system or bubblers.
Container Size | Caliper Size | Gallons of Water (Per Watering) |
---|---|---|
30 | 2 | 10 |
45 | 3 | 15 |
65 | 3.5 | 17.5 |
100 | 4 | 20 |
150 | 5 | 25 |
200 | 6 | 30 |
7 | 35 | |
8 | 40 | |
9 | 45 | |
10 | 50 | |
11 | 55 | |
12 | 60 |
Helpful reminders for tree watering
- Sprinkler systems are not sufficient for watering trees. You need to use the slow soak method for your trees.
- A bubbler on the tree with its own zone
- A soaker hose around the entire root ball
- Hand watering with a garden hose
- If using a garden hose:
- Place the hose 1-2 feet from the root flare
- Root Flare are the exposed roots that should be showing around the base of your tree. If your tree looks like a telephone pole coming out of the ground it is likely planted too deep. You should see roots around the base of your tree where it meets the ground.
- General tip: Watering tree with a standard hose?
Measure the trunk diameter at knee height using a ruler or yardstick. Then follow this simple watering formula: tree diameter × five minutes = total watering time. For example, a tree with a 3″ diameter would be 3 × 5 = 15 minutes of watering on a slow trickle. Repeat 2-3 times a week.
- Move hose throughout entire canopy area, ensuring complete coverage
- Place the hose 1-2 feet from the root flare
- Remember to let the ground dry between waterings to avoid over-watering
What else can I do to help my trees?
- Mulch
- After watering, mulching is the most beneficial treatment for all trees
- Mulch helps regulate soil temperature and moisture, prevents competition in the root zone, and adds beneficial nutrients to the soil
- To learn how to properly apply mulch to your trees, visit our post planting guide for how to mulch.
- Remove any dead or damaged branches before spring
- Dead wood is a magnet for insects and disease, and can become sites of rot and infestation
- Branches that are dead or dying present a hazard, as they are prone to falling during inclement weather