Watering your trees in Texas is extremely important. Trees may look docile and relatively inactive above ground, but beneath the surface they are constantly fighting to grow their roots and gather up the nutrients they need to survive. No matter what time of year, watering is incredibly important. However, different seasons create different watering needs. Other factors that contribute to how you water include, the age of the tree, how long it has been in its environment, and soil composition. Your trusted Austin arborist is here to help make sure your trees are properly watered to keep them lush and healthy!
Summer Tree Watering
The Texas summer heat can take a toll on a tree. When watering trees in Texas summer, you need to be careful not to overcompensate and overwater, but also not to be too sparing and under water. You want the soil to be damp, but not soaked. You also want to allow the soil to dry out between watering sessions to prevent oversaturating the soil and drowning the roots. In general, you want to water newly planted trees with 10 gallons of water per diameter inch of the tree at least one time per week – e.g. 30 gallons of water in a weekly watering for a 3 inch diameter tree.
If it is especially warm, you may need to water your trees more often. Test the ground for moisture to see if more watering is needed. If a tree’s leaves go brown, there is a good chance it will not recover, so proper watering is imperative to maintaining your investment.
Winter Tree Watering
Winter weather can create a new batch of problems. Frozen ground can prevent water from getting to the roots. If you are water trees in Texas winter, make sure it is above freezing. If the water freezes underground, it can cause irreparable damage to your tree’s root system. Trees still need water in winter, especially when they are newly planted. The general rule in winter is to water two times a month as opposed to weekly, as is recommended in the summer months. This can differ between trees based on age, size, and type.
If you need help figuring out how often to water your trees, or need any other Austin tree services, call Capitol Tree Care at (512) 913-6833. Our Austin certified arborist will help you make sure your trees live a happy, healthy, long life.