If you live in Houston and have recently planted a tree or two in your yard, you may be wondering how best to ensure its health. Proper watering is key for newly planted trees since they will need help establishing themselves in their new environment. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips on how to properly water your newly planted trees so that they can stay healthy and happy!
Water Frequency
The frequency with which you water your trees depends on the amount of rain your area receives. During dry periods with less rain, newly planted trees should be watered every 3-4 days for the first 6 weeks after planting. After that initial period, it’s important to water your trees once a week during the summer months (or more if there is no rainfall). In winter months when temperatures are cooler, reduce watering frequency to approximately once every two weeks.
Water Amount
When determining how much water to give your tree, consider the size of its root ball. The larger the root ball, the more water it will need—so use this as a guide when deciding how much H2O to provide. Generally speaking, a new tree should receive approximately 10-15 gallons of water each time they are watered. This amount should saturate their roots and help them establish themselves in their new environment.
Watering Tips
When it comes to watering newly planted trees, be sure not to overwater them—this can lead to root rot and other issues that could harm the tree’s health and even kill it over time. To ensure you don’t overwater your tree, use a soil moisture meter or poke into the soil near the trunk about two inches deep with a finger or stick; if it feels wet or cool then there is enough moisture in the soil and additional watering isn’t necessary at this time. Additionally, try using a soaker hose or drip irrigation system instead of sprinklers as these will direct water directly onto the roots rather than spraying all over which can lead to fewer problems down the road.
Mulch
Mulch is an essential component for helping newly planted trees remain hydrated. Mulch acts like a blanket to help prevent water from evaporating and it also helps to keep the soil temperature lower. This allows moisture to be held closer to the root system where the tree needs it most. Additionally, mulch helps improve soil structure by increasing its fertility, while making sure that the roots don’t become overly exposed to sun or wind which can dry them out quickly. Finally, mulch helps protect against weed growth which can rob newly planted trees of vital nutrients. For these reasons, applying mulch with every planting is important for ensuring that newly planted trees remain healthy and properly hydrated.
Properly watering newly planted trees is essential for ensuring their health and longevity. Depending on where you live (and especially if you’re living in Houston) it’s important to pay attention to how much rain falls each month and adjust accordingly—watering more during dry periods but reducing the frequency when rains come down heavily. Additionally, always remember not to overwater your trees; use a soil moisture meter or simply check by poking around near its trunk before providing more H2O! With these tips in mind, you’ll have success keeping your newly planted trees healthy and happy!
