The right amount of watering is very crucial for the survival and better growth of the tree. To make sure that tree safety and health are well maintained, you must be aware of some good practices regarding watering them. There is no exact specification for how often and how much you should be watering them. These things actually depend on many factors such as soil type, tree type, weather conditions etc. Irrespective of these factors, there are certain steps you should take in all cases:
- Newly planted trees should always be watered. This seems like an obvious thing to do, but there is no harm in keeping it in the list of tree care solutions as a reminder.
- Watering trees in initial growing seasons:
When trees are young, they consume huge amounts of energy so that they can develop the roots properly. If they don’t have access to sufficient water at that time, they will not be able to establish a good base. In an initial couple of growing seasons, the trees should be deep-watered. If you do not have arboriculture knowledge, then this term might be new for you. It basically means that the soil in which they exist should be kept so moist that the whole roots of the tree can also get that moisture.
- Consider soil moisture before watering them:
It might seem a bit of a hassle to do, but at least initially you should dig the soil for about a few inches in case you are watering well-established trees. After digging, touch the soil to check the level of moisture and then water accordingly. When you do that a few times, you will get a good idea of the frequency of watering. This is a good practice for better planning and development of trees. Ideally, the soil should always be a bit moist, neither very dry nor drenched in water. Amount wise, almost five gallons per inch as per the diameter of the trunk can be used. In terms of time, you can water them for thirty seconds with a steady flow of water.
- Overwatering won’t help:
If you think that you can overwater the tree for one day and don’t water it for weeks, then it is absolutely a wrong approach and is harmful for tree safety. If you can see any of the following symptoms, then it implies that you have been over watering the trees:
- Leaves turning yellow, starting from the branches at the bottom side of the tree
- The roots turning black or brown
- Fungus on surface
- Brittle green leaves
- Wilting, specially of young shoots.
A certified arborist in India can help you identify whether the tree is suffering due to overwatering or not.
- Mulching:
Mulching is good for the health of the trees. It is not only good for aesthetic purposes, but it also helps in maintaining moisture in the soil, hence maintaining its temperature.
For more advice and information on watering the trees efficiently, you can refer to an Arboriculture consultancy in India like Treecotech.