How to Water Mature Trees During Drought

When it comes to tree wellness, clients often ask how to water mature trees during drought. In this post, Rick’s PHC Certified Arborists explain how to water your trees during drought conditions. 

Check If Your Tree Needs Water

Usually, a mature tree can fend for itself during spring and summer. However, it requires gallons of water to survive, and during a drought, it is unlikely to get what it needs. Your tree may need water if: 

• The soil is dry about 12 inches into the ground
• You notice leaves turning brown 
• There is an unseasonal leaf drop
• The leaves are undersized
• Your tree has dead twigs near the crown

How Should I Water My Tree? 

The best method is to ensure the water saturates the top eight to ten inches of soil. This is where most of the feeder roots are. If the ground is flat, an overhead sprinkler provides an even spray of water. 

Set it up so that it wets the area between the outer edge of the canopy and the trunk, but do not allow it to soak the trunk. Doing so leaves the tree vulnerable to mold and other organic growth. It may also attract pests during a drought. 

Place an empty tuna can in the spray area and let the water run. This allows you to easily measure when your tree has two inches of water. When the tin fills up, you can turn the water off. We recommend periodically checking that the water is in the optimal zone the first time you perform this task. 

Your tree should be fine for at least a week. Check how it is doing at this time by performing the soil test. Drive a screwdriver into the ground, being careful not to pierce a tree root. 

If you drive a 12-inch screwdriver into the soil and dirt clings to it, you’re fine. If it is difficult to push the screwdriver into the ground and it comes out clean, the soil is dry.  

Get the Soil Moist

One thing few people understand when it comes to how to water mature trees during drought is that you can get too much of a good thing. Overwatering during a drought can be just as damaging as not watering at all. Too much water will suffocate the tree roots and kill the tree.

To make things even more confusing, the signs of overwatering are the same as those of drought distress. Keep the soil damp rather than soggy.

Keep Watering 

You will need to keep up this routine until the rain comes again. During winter, you can relax the routine to once a month, but you will have to step it up during hot summers. 

Contact Certified Professionals for Assistance

Do you have a treasured tree you want to save? Contact  Rick’s PHC Certified Arborists at (610) 840-2655 to schedule a professional consultation. Not only will we teach you how to water mature trees during drought, but we will also explain growth regulation and other wellness factors.