Tree Health & Advice

During the Growing Season - end of March through October

 

Does your tree need to be watered?

Dig into it, check soil moisture as often as once a week by digging down four inches deep, a foot and a half to two feet away from the base of the trunk. If the soil is dry, then soak based on your trees DBH. Diameter at Breast Height

 

How do I determine how much water my tree needs?

DBH - Diameter at Breast Height for appropriate water dose

To find diameter, measure circumference at four and a half feet or 1.4 meters, up the trunk from the ground, on the high side if there is a slope, and divide that by pi 3.14 or use a tree DBH calculator online.

 

How long do I let the water run?

Dose your trees ten to Fifteen gallons of water per inch of diameter at breast height (DBH) twice(ish) a week. Turn on your water and watch if it soaks into the soil or pools on the surface and runs along the ground. If it runs, slow down the flow until it soaks in. Then time filling a gallon container and figure how many gallons your tree needs to determine the time.

 

Where do I water?

Water deciduous trees between the edge of the branch tips to the trunk, alternating around the trunk that the trees roots all get a little wet.

Water evergreen trees three to five feet beyond the branch tips.

 

What else can I do to conserve water and care for my trees?

Create a healthy habitat for the organisms and micro organisms in the soil that contribute to the health and longevity of your tree. Mulch, in various forms, offer the opportunity to insulate water in the soil, create a buffer protecting the base of the trunk from lawn mowers and string trimmer line, and reduce turf competition under the canopy, From gorilla hair mulch to arborist chips, there are a variety of options of materials that can be used.

 

 

How do I install a mulch circle?

There are a few options I recommend. Initially install mulch to about six inches thick. It will settle, and should be maintained, at depth of two to four inches deep. Maintain a space two to four inches away from the base of the trunk to prevent moisture from getting trapped against the bark. The circle to be potentially as wide as the watering area to the aesthetic that you prefer. 

 

Winter Care

 

Should I water during the winter?

Water once a month when it's been dry, the temperature is above forty degrees fahrenheit, and there is no snow on the ground. Maintaining watering frequency may allow less extensive watering amounts through the growing season. Similarly, regularly pruned trees are less expensive to maintain if kept up with. You should have your trees inspected every two to five years or as necessary, if you notice something out of the ordinary.