The idea of decorative or fruit-bearing trees lining the property excites you. But the task of watering newly planted trees can be a bit tricky. Throughout Hawkins Tree and Landscaping’s tree service in Texarkana, AR, we’ve advised many property owners on the best practices for caring for their specimens. Below, we’ll show you how to water those recently planted individuals that need some extra care.
Understanding the Climate in Texarkana, Arkansas
Texarkana, Arkansas, has mild winters, crisp autumns, and gentle springs. However, summers bring exceptionally hot temperatures that can reach the upper 90s. Plus, precipitation levels taper off during June, bringing less than a week of rain per month until fall.
Watering young trees during the hot season is crucial to their survival. Your recent transplants cannot weather the extreme heat and lack of rain in Texarkana, Arkansas. You’ll learn to care for and ensure your yearling or sapling’s survival below.
What Obstacles Do Newly Planted Trees Face?
Most freshly planted trees are incredibly young because purchasers can more easily handle them. However, young trees come with unique care challenges, such as:
- Unestablished roots: Your transplant may take years to grow out and establish secure roots. Installing young tree irrigation systems might guide its growing root system.
- Sensitivity to weather changes: Yearlings are more prone to shock from intense weather conditions, especially if you recently planted them.
- A constant need for hydration: Watering tree roots of newly transplanted trees is a consistent labor of love. Since the young specimen grows constantly, it needs nutrients and hydration to support growth.
How Can You Go About Watering Newly Planted Trees
When watering newly planted trees, you might look online for basic tree-watering tips. While these resources may help, the best way to water trees accounts for these factors:
- Weather patterns: Your watering schedule may vary depending on the day’s highest temperatures and whether your area receives rain.
- Time since you planted the tree: A recently planted tree needs daily watering, while a specimen planted over a month ago can do with a few weekly sessions.
- Signs of growth or stress: If the tree looks distressed, it needs more attention. On the other hand, it may thrive, enabling you to taper the sessions gradually.
- Available watering tools: The average garden hose performs differently than a soaker hose or a targeted irrigation system. You can water based on your current tool or purchase one that delivers better results.
Our crew suggests irrigation or soaker hoses to ensure proper watering for trees.
How Often Should You Water Your New Specimens?
So, how can you craft the perfect tree-watering schedule for your recent transplant? First, measure its trunk. Give it two to three gallons of water for every inch of trunk diameter.
Ideally, do the following when watering newly planted trees:
- Two weeks after planting: This is the most vulnerable time for your new tree. It needs daily sessions, and you might move up to twice-daily sessions during the hottest summer months.
- Three weeks to three months after planting: You can scale back to watering every three days. You might increase the sessions to every other day when the summer heat soars above 90 degrees.
- Four months after planting and beyond: Scale back your efforts to weekly deep-watering sessions until you know the roots are fully established.
Once you have established the root system, you can stop your proactive efforts in newly planted tree care and let nature take its course. An established tree consistently produces growth and is firmly rooted to the ground.
Choose Hawkins Tree and Landscaping for Your Tree Services in Texarkana, Arkansas
Watering newly planted trees is often trickier than watering mature trees. Ask Hawkins Tree and Landscaping for more advice at 870-330-9912.