As summer approaches, and we hopefully enjoy some extended dry periods, we’ve noticed many of you are asking how much water do trees need before and after planting?

Before Planting

When planting trees during dry periods, we recommend preparing the ground in advance. One helpful step is to thoroughly soak the planting area with 20 litres of water the day before you plant. This will help to soften the soil and minimise shock to the trees. For even better results, you can begin this process a week prior by watering the planting site with 20 litres every other day. Just avoid watering on the day of planting, as it’s best to plant into soil that is moist but not overly saturated.

After Planting

Consistent watering is so important after planting, especially over the first few years. As a guide we recommend that you give each tree approximately 5 litres of water every second day (over the growing season). This volume should keep the soil consistently moist, but you should regularly check the soil to make sure it’s not getting too wet or too dry. If the soil dries out it can cause stress to the tree, if the soil becomes oversaturated then the roots will not be able to access oxygen in the surrounding soil. In these instances adjust the volume as required.

Once we have enter the dormancy period it should be fine to pause the watering schedule. Just make sure that you check the soil is still moist if we have any extended dry periods.

Key Tips:

1. Water the trees/plants in the morning or evening to minimise the volume of water that is lost to evaporation.

2. Direct water at the base of the trunk so that it has contact with the soil around the roots.

3. Use a watering can rather than a hose so that you know exactly how much water the tree is given.

4. Use a rose attachment on the watering can and water the trees slowly. This will help to avoid water run-off.

4. Avoid using a sprinkler to water your trees as they do not soak the ground enough.

Is rain enough?

While we all welcome summer rain, it’s often not enough to fully water your new plants. Rainfall can be insufficient, and even heavy rain might not soak deeply enough to reach the crucial root systems. Don’t be tempted to stop irrigating as this may prove fatal!

Watering bare root plants

Bareroot trees and shrubs will not normally require irrigation. Expect 5-10% failures without watering and replant losses after the second year. You will find this approach is far more practical and avoids compacting surrounding soil structures with heavy machinery. Generally speaking, irrigation should start up around the end of March as the ground drys and continue through to October when the rain returns.

Drainage Conditions

Certain varieties are better suited to specific soil drainage conditions. For areas with poorly draining soils or locations prone to periods of flooding, consider planting trees like Birch, Willows and Alders. These species thrive in moist environments and can tolerate occasional periods of flooding throughout the year. On the other hand, trees such as Yew (Taxus) are highly susceptible to overwatering and waterlogging so it’s crucial that they are planted in “free-draining” or well-drained soils to ensure their survival.

Regardless, it is important that all newly planted trees are regularly watered to help them establish their root system. Just give enough water to keep the soil moist.

Hopefully this has highlighted the importance of consistent watering and offered helpful guidelines on the amount of water trees require in their initial years.

We understand that maintaining a regular watering schedule can sometimes be challenging, especially during times away. To assist with this, we offer accessories such as tree watering bags. These bags have a 70-litre capacity and are designed to slowly release water directly to the tree roots. Just regularly check your trees to ensure they are healthy and that the watering bags have not run out of water!