Watering Your New Tree
It's Important to Get New Trees Off to a Good Start...
Newly planted trees need help before they can grow on their own. This is called the establishment period where the tree grows its root system strong enough to support itself.
Trees need at least 15 gallons of water, or one full water bag, per week to survive - especially in the middle of the summer. During periods of intense heat or drought, a good rule of thumb is to double your watering efforts. This bag offers a “deep watering” method for your trees. Sprinklers are good for grass because grass roots aren’t as deep, but they are not sufficient for trees.
How to water your new tree
- Start watering your tree immediately after planting, once a week, from Easter Sunday to Thanksgiving. This is approximate and depends when the ground thaws and freezes.
- Fill the bag until it is full by inserting a hose into the small opening at the top of the bag. You should see the bag start to fill up.
- Some bags are not made equal and will drain faster than others. That is okay! As long as you fill it up at least once a week.
Tree watering tips
- Be extra diligent about watering your tree in the summer! Your tree is using most of its energy to grow its roots; heat stress will slow it down.
- Keep mulch around your tree to keep out weeds, keep the soil moist, and support beneficial microorganisms.
- Feel the soil to make sure it is moist. The soil should be damp not soggy.
- If you don’t have a hose to fill your gator bag, ask your neighbor if you could borrow theirs! Or, use a large pitcher/bucket to carry water from your nearest water source to your tree.
- If you notice wilting leaves that are yellow to brown, your tree is underwatered and could die!
Especially with our shifting climate and unpredictable rainfall, watering newly planted trees is crucial to their establishment and survival. Sufficient watering drastically increases the chances of survival, so it is the most important thing you can do for your new trees.
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