watering in tree

member11809 · Guest

When planting a tree and watering in, how much water?

medieval knievel · Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 8:38 am Post subject:

puddle it in. you want the water to saturate the roots.

member11809 · Guest

tippben · Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 11:49 am Post subject:

Depends on how big the tree is, I'm afraid. As a rule, it is better to give lots of water (gallons and gallons) once or twice a week, than a little bit of water (a watering can full) every day. If you have a hose, I'd put it on a low trickle, and leave it there for an hour, twice a week.

medieval knievel · Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 11:51 am Post subject:

the initial puddling in is partly to help collapse larger air pockets in the soil.but this time of year, trees don't need an awful lot of water, as they're only just coming into leaf, and the soil is not drying out as quickly.

tippben · Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 12:16 pm Post subject:

Oh yes, of course, do the "finger test" If you can put your middle finger fully into the ground 18" from the new tree's rootball, and the soil feels damp, you don't need to water.