{"id":980,"date":"2025-04-09T16:40:37","date_gmt":"2025-04-09T21:40:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arborhilltrees.com\/blog\/?p=980"},"modified":"2025-04-09T16:40:37","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T21:40:37","slug":"how-to-water-your-trees-like-a-pro-this-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arborhilltrees.com\/blog\/how-to-water-your-trees-like-a-pro-this-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Water Your Trees Like a Pro This Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Does your yard have trees? If you planted big trees, small trees, and perhaps a new baby sapling a few months ago, you should know how to care for them. Summertime is approaching, and the heat insidiously creeps into the surrounding soil. Your trees silently (or not-so-silently) start clamoring for a drink. Discover how to water trees for optimal growth and health.<\/p>\n

How to Water Your Trees Like a Pro This Summer<\/h2>\n

Don’t Spray and Walk Away<\/h3>\n

You know that lazy trick? You stand around with a garden hose, spray the trunk for a minute while deciding what to have for lunch, then stroll away as if you\u2019re done for the day. Your tree despises it\u2014Seriously.<\/p>\n

When you take this approach, your trees are not getting anything beneficial. You’re only soaking the bark like a drive-through car wash, not watering the tree root.<\/p>\n

The actual growth activity occurs in the ground. Roots don\u2019t linger at ground level as you might expect. They’re in the area just outside the topsoil, known as the \u201cdrip line.\u201d That’s where the water should go, not around the base of the trunk.<\/p>\n

Most of a tree’s roots are located in the critical root zone. This is in the top 24 inches of soil. Most roots are shallow. However, some tree types develop deeper roots for anchoring.<\/p>\n

Invest in a soaker hose or drip irrigation system, running it low and slow. Remember, you\u2019re not filling a glass of water\u2014think of it like you\u2019re filling a bathtub.<\/p>\n

Mornings are the VIP Time Slot<\/h3>\n

Imagine being handed a steaming hot cup of coffee in the middle of a desert hike during the peak sun hours of the day. That’s what watering your trees in the afternoon feels like to them. They won’t appreciate it\u2014Most of the water will evaporate before the trees can use it.<\/p>\n

Your best bet is watering in the morning, early, before the sun can throw a heatwave party. Your trees will have a chance to get a drink before the heat of the daily hustle.<\/p>\n

For newly planted trees, it is essential to thoroughly water and mulch around the root ball to retain moisture.<\/p>\n

This watering strategy allows the roots to drink in the water before there’s a race for it with evaporation. Proper watering helps to avoid fungal problems. This can happen when foliage is left moist overnight.<\/p>\n

Deep Drinks, Not Quick Sips<\/h3>\n

Trees don\u2019t like shallow watering. You’re not attempting to tickle the surface, here. You’re trying to find your way down to those lower-level roots. Make your watering count.<\/p>\n

Light, frequent watering invites roots to stay near the top of the soil. That’s where they also get into trouble. Shallow roots can’t survive:<\/p>\n