The dry winds of summer are not far away. If you were one of the many folks who planted a new tree this spring, I have a few tips for you.
You see when your tree was dug from the nursery's field, about 90% of the tree's root system was severed. The tree was than balled and burlapped and shipped to the retail nursery where you fell in love with your new addition to the landscape. That amount of root loss is a significant one for the tree to overcome. So this first summer without a complete root system to sustain the moisture demands of the tree's leaves becomes your responsibility.
"How much water will my tree need?" is a frequently asked question. The answer is, the equivalent of one inch of rain per week. "But how do I measure that?" Ideally with a rain gauge, however you don't have to be that exact. The local weather station usually broadcasts the amount of rain received.
Now if we experience a drought your tree will be in dire straits if you fall behind in the one inch of rain per week. To compensate for the lack of rainfall you will need to water your tree. You will need to apply about 10 gallons of water per week for a one to two inch caliper tree. (Caliper is the diameter of the trunk near the base of the tree). However, it is very important how you give your tree those 10 gallons. The water needs to be applied slowly so it has a chance to soak into the soil.
The low tech approach to watering your tree is with a 5 gallon bucket that you punch a very small hole (less then 1/8") into. Set the bucket next to your tree, fill it with water and walk away. The water will drip slowly into the soil next to your tree. For safety, if you have small pets or children around, place a firm top on your bucket so there is no chance they could fall into the bucket.
If at any time you notice that your tree's leaves start to droop during the sunniest part of the day, don't run for the hose just yet. This is a normal reaction for trees, even for trees that have their complete root systems. If you water every time you see the leaves droop you may over water your tree. Just watch your tree very carefully. The leaves should start to recover has the sun goes down, and fully recover during the night. In the morning if your leaves have not fully recovered you may need to water. Check under your mulch also to see if the soil is dry.
Your first summer will be the hardest for your new tree. The tree will spend enormous amounts of energy to rebuilt its root system. You can help by giving your tree the right amount of moisture this summer.
-- Jay Banks,
town arborist
