Tree owners recognize the need to preserve their valuable assets by vertical mulching and fertilizing, and injecting for destructive insects, such as Emerald Ash Borer. But an even more fundamental step is to ensure that trees are properly watered during drought periods.
What follows is a guideline for watering trees.
Schedule:
May, or temperatures 70 to 79 ºF, water every 6th day
June, or temperatures 80 to 85 ºF, water every 5th day
July and August, or temperatures 86 to 96 ºF, water every 4th day
September, or temperatures 80 to 85 ºF, water every 5th day
Trees should receive approximately two to three inches of water each time. This can be measured by simply placing a pan by the tree and then measuring the amount of water that is accumlated in it.
Note: Do not water every day. Less frequent long soakings (saturation), followed by skipped periods allow for oxygen availability.
To know you have watered deep enough for a tree, you must be able to probe in the soil at least 6-8” using a shovel. But I recommend a Ross root feeder.
