Trees and watering (landscape, growing, fertilizer, yard)

[ajzjmsmom]

Does anyone know how often a well established tree should be watered? We have 3 trees at our new house and all are well established, since water is expensive where we live I want to make sure I only water when necessary. Any input would be appreciated.

[cdelena]

It depends upon the tree, area, and local conditions, but the majority of established trees will do fine without supplemental watering.

[JQ Public]

Yeah you don't need to water trees any more than nature does already. I mean how do you think forests survive? My back would hurt dragging my watering can out there all day.

[si33]

Seriously though..there is a big difference between trees growing in their natural environment and the landscaped environment of our making..There are no sidewalks for beefy redwoods to lift in the woods..not naturally anyway..

Though you will not have to water established trees regularly, especially if they are specimens of those native to your area, many of the "non" native specimens in our landscaped jungles can benefit from occasional deep watering..especially during the first few years after the tree is placed in the ground..even if it was in a 24"-40" box when planted..

Regular light watering tells the tree that its perfectly fine to spread it's root zone closer to the surface..which can often lead to big headaches down the road..especially when a large-spreading tree is placed where it can't do what it would naturally.. Then there are others who will seek out the deep water source they need.. if they aren't getting it..even if that happens to be your sewer or septic lines (yummy!)..so it is important to encourage any tree to root as deeply as possible from the earliest age possible..unless you don't mind allowing the sugar maple or oak in the yard helping you install the sky light you'd been pondering over for the master bedroom..or being a real trip for your neighbors..in your neck of the suburban forest..

[Rakin]

During dry times, A nice slow drip left on a tree for a day to help get the ground saturated at a deep level is what I would do at least every 2 weeks depending on the weather & soil. Your drip should be slow enough so there is no run off.

A Little extra water & fertilizer can even help an oak tree grow much faster.