What should you know when you’re watering a newly planted tree? In this post, Ken’s Tree Service, your trusted tree service company in Dunedin, FL, explains more about this topic.
How Long Will It Take for a New Tree to Establish Itself?
If you have experience planting trees, you’ll know that it takes at least a year for newly planted trees to establish strong root systems. You can add another year for each inch of tree trunk. Therefore, if your plant has a diameter of three inches, it’ll need three years to set itself up securely.
How to Water Your New Plant
The first time you water, fill the hole so that it stands for a little before draining away. After that, use a soaker hose to deliver a slow trickle of moisture as needed. We recommend the following watering schedule:
- Weeks 1 and 2: Daily
- Weeks 3 to 12: Every second or third day
- After Week 12: Once a week, after checking the soil’s dry
How Much Water Should You Use?
When watering a newly planted tree, work on two or three gallons per inch of trunk diameter. Therefore, a tree with a four-inch trunk will need between 8 and 12 gallons of water. This also means upping the moisture as your tree grows to give it the best start. You also need to keep a mental idea of where the root ball ended, as you should cover this entire area when watering.
Make Your Life Easier
Buy a basin that can hold about four or five gallons and make a hole in the outer edge of the bottom. This should measure about half an inch. Put the basin at the outer edge of the tree’s canopy and fill it with water. When the water drains out, repeat these steps on the opposite side of the plant.
This is an easy way to ensure the proper dosage. And, since it drips out slowly, there’s no wastage due to run-off.
How Do You Check for Moisture?
Before you fill the basin, create a two or three-inch hole in the ground. Dig out some soil from this depth and squish it. If water seeps out, wait a few days before watering. If it’s dry or won’t clump together, water more frequently.
Also, look at the tree leaves for signs that they’re in trouble. Unfortunately, the signs of over and underwatering can be similar, so it’s confusing. However, if you notice the leaves curling up, withering, and falling off, the soil’s probably dry.
Is It Possible to Give Your Tree Too Much Water?
Yes, we often see cases where enthusiastic gardeners drown the root system. We recommend using the slow-watering system above and testing the soil before adding more moisture.
Contact Us for the Right Advice
Now that you know all about watering a newly planted tree, do you have other questions? Would you like to learn how native Florida trees can transform your garden? Whatever your question, Ken’s Tree Service has the answer. Call us at (727) 934-5804 to schedule a consultation today!