The best time to water a tree or shrub is when the top 6 to 9 inches of soil in the root zone are dry. Using a spade or hand trowel, dig a small hole under the plant canopy and feel the soil. If the soil is cool and moist 6 to 9 inches below the surface, no water is needed.
For example, you can usually take a break from watering deciduous trees in the fall, when they lose their leaves. You'll want to keep watering evergreen trees, or conifers, until the ground freezes.
You should be watering new trees at least once a week in hot summer weather and every three or four days during prolonged drought periods. For newly planted trees, soak the root ball directly under the tree and about a metre around the root ball to encourage root growth.
Cold, dry winds can strip water from evergreens faster than their roots can absorb it, too. That is why it is especially important to provide enough water in the fall and during dry, warm spells in the winter. Even though they lose their leaves, deciduous trees should also not get too dry in the fall and winter.
The best time to water plants is in the morning or evening.
Morning watering is actually preferable to evening watering as the plant has time to dry before the sun goes down. At night, water tends to rest in the soil, around the roots, and on the foliage, which encourages rot, fungal growth, and insects.
Tips for watering trees
Following these tips will help you make the most of your time and water resources and keep your trees strong and healthy. Water in the early morning or evening. Watering during the hottest part of the day causes water to evaporate before it gets where it needs to go.
During a summer afternoon, up to half of the water can be lost to evaporation. The best time to water is in the morning or evening, so the roots have a chance to absorb most of the water.
During the fall and winter (October through March) water trees depending on weather, temperature, and soil conditions. You should water in the winter when it is above 40 degrees and when there is no snow cover.
The best time to water a tree or shrub is when the top 6 to 9 inches of soil in the root zone are dry. Using a spade or hand trowel, dig a small hole under the plant canopy and feel the soil. If the soil is cool and moist 6 to 9 inches below the surface, no water is needed. If the soil is dry, it is time to water.
Remember that winter temperatures, even when above freezing, are still cool enough that water evaporation into the air is happening much more slowly than it does in the growing season. Too much water in the soil can also encourage the growth of soil fungus and bacteria that aren't beneficial and can damage trees.
WATER: During an excessive heat event, we recommend that you double your normal watering routine. This means that your new trees should receive 15 gallons of water at least twice a week throughout the heat wave, meaning a deep watering every three to four days when it's about 90-degrees or more for an extended period.
Make sure to watch the temperature outside, you do not want to water your trees in temperatures under 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and there is no snow or ice near the tree. If the temperature is below freezing, not only will these cause issues with your sprinkler system, but they can cause damage to your tree's roots.
A general rule of thumb is to use approximately 10 gallons of water per 1 inch of trunk diameter each time you water. ► Install a slow-release watering bag. To reduce evaporation, water in the morning and mulch your tree.
After half an hour, move it a couple of feet around the trunk. Keep moving the hose from place to place until it has dribbled for an hour, or even two hours for a large tree.
Watering During the Winter
Keep watering trees on a regular schedule through the fall and until the ground begins to freeze (usually late October or November).
Trees do better with less frequent but deeper soakings — a heavy soaking once a week is much better than a shallow watering every few days. That's because shallow waterings encourage tree roots to remain near the soil surface where they're prone to drying out.
About 10 gallons per 1 inch (2.5 cm) of trunk diameter per week (ex., a tree with 12″ DBH would receive 120 gallons) during drought. If there is unlimited water, there are records of trees absorbing 150 gallons of water in a single day.
The general watering formula is: tree diameter x five minutes = total watering time. It takes about five minutes to produce 10 gallons of water at a medium pressure. A 4-inch diameter tree will need 20 minutes of watering time to supply the 40 gallons it needs.
Drip irrigation is the recommended method of delivering water to shrubs, trees and all other plants that are not considered turf grasses. When using drip irrigation there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you are watering as efficiently as possible.
Dormant trees do not require regular watering compared to the growing season. It would help if you watered your trees one or two times in a month when there is minimal snow coverage or none at all until they begin to leaf out during spring. If your area is very windy, your trees need more water.
There's an old wives tale that putting hot or warm water in the Christmas tree stand makes it last longer. But if you ask the National Christmas Tree Association, that doesn't make a difference. They say the real game changer is a fresh cut.
Generally, the best time to prune or trim trees and shrubs is during the winter months. From November through March, most trees are dormant which makes it the ideal time for the following reasons: Trees are less susceptible to insects or disease.
Rainwater contains nitrate – the most bio-available form of nitrogen. Nitrogen is one of the three key macro-nutrients that plants need to thrive – necessary for the development of lush foliage.
Soil saturated with water can suffocate and drown a tree since the oxygen-rich air pockets are flooded. Root rot, fungus or too much water can kill a tree's roots and slowly starve the rest of the tree. Some signs that a tree is getting too much water include: Wilting or yellowing leaves.
Only Water When Necessary
The most important rule to remember in watering trees is to only water when the tree needs it. Monitoring how much water the tree is actually using by checking the soil moisture before watering is the key to preventing overwatering damage in the summer.