03/26/2025
It's , so we are continuing our series on common tree planting mistakes. Today: watering.
According to NSA Green Infrastructure Coordinator Justin Evertson, more young trees are killed annually from too much rather than not enough water. This is particularly common in heavy clay soils or in over-irrigated fescue lawns. Too much water can suffocate tree roots and lead to a slow decline and even the eventual loss of a tree.
So how much water is too much (or too little)? It depends on the soil type and the type of tree you've planted -- some trees require more water than others (looking at you, river birch). One way to tell how much moisture your soil contains is to push a probe, like a long-handled screwdriver, about 10 inches into the soil. If you can do so easily with little resistance or if you pull it out and it's moist with some soil particles sticking to it, there is probably adequate moisture in your soil. If it's really hard to push into the soil or if you get it in but it's bone dry and clean when you pull it out, your tree likely needs water.
It's best to water slowly and deeply. Try laying a hose at the base of your tree, turn the faucet on so that just a trickle comes out and then leave it there for a while (the length of time depends on how dry or moist the soil is to begin with). Or place a five-gallon bucket with small holes in the bottom at the base of the tree -- fill it once or twice and let the water slowly seep out and into the soil.
Water your new tree generously at planting, and then once a week after that. If it's particularly hot or little to no rain is in the forecast, more frequent watering may be needed.
