Today’s tip: Water trees to prepare them for winter
This has been a very dry summer, and drought conditions can lead to tree decline, pest problems and permanent damage. Water is critical to the health of newly planted trees, but even mature trees need watering during dry spells.
Watering trees now will help protect trees winter damage. Here are some watering tips from the University of Minnesota Extension Service.
- Water deeply. After watering deeply, allow the soil to dry out. Avoid frequent light watering, which promotes shallow root systems that are susceptible to heat stress and winter injury.
- Water an established tree between 1 to 3 inches of water per week if there has been no rainfall. Newly planted trees may need more frequent watering.
- Watch the weather: skip watering if there has been a significant rainfall and increase watering if it has been hot, windy and rainless.
- Use an open garden hose, running very slowly to water newly planted trees. Use a lawn sprinkler to water established trees.
- Water around the root zone or drip line (where the outer edges of the branches are, as opposed to right at the base of the tree trunk). Make sure you water the entire circumference of root system, not just one side.
- Keep watering each week or so until the ground freezes.
Additional watering tips and information about seasonal tree care can be found at http://www.myminnesotawoods.umn.edu/2008/04/seasonal-care-for-trees-and-shrubs-in-northern-u-s-climates-2/.
Published Sep. 12, 2012