Do not turn on your irrigation system to water your trees – use hoses, soaker hoses, or buckets instead!
Water your deciduous trees and evergreen trees up to 2 times a month between October and March. Check soil moisture levels around the dripline of the tree to determine how much water is needed. To accurately determine soil moisture, dig down at least 4-6 inches. Water during the day when temperatures are above 40 degrees to allow the water to soak in before freezing night temperatures set in. Do not water if soil is frozen.
How much water your tree should receive depends upon the tree size: A general rule of thumb is to use approximately 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter for each watering. Measure trunk diameter at knee height. General formula: Tree Diameter x 5 min. = Total Watering Time. The most important area to water for deciduous trees is within the dripline (from the trunk to the other edges of the trees branches). For evergreens, water 3-5 feet beyond the dripline on all sides of the tree. Maintain mulch 4 inches deep around trees and shrubs to retain moisture. Pull mulch back from the tree trunk.
