Trees, like all living organisms, need water to survive – but water is even more important for newly planted trees. The stress of being moved and transplanted into a new environment may cause the tree to die.
Watering, however, helps to ease the transition, encouraging healthy growth and development. To learn more about when and how to water a newly planted tree, keep reading.
How Often Do I Need to Water My Newly Planted Tree?
There’s really no easy answer to this question, as water requirements for a newly planted tree vary depending on a number of different factors. Some of these factors include rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind conditions, season, soil type, the tree variety, and the extent to which the tree’s roots have developed in the soil.
With all of that said, however, a good rule of thumb is to water your newly planted tree once daily for the first two weeks, at which point you can cut back to just once a week. This should keep your tree hydrated and healthy, preventing it from drying out. Of course, you should water it more often if the surrounding soil feels dry and arid.
How to Water a Newly Planted Tree
There are several different ways to water a newly planted tree, although one of the easiest is to simply use a garden hose. Turn the hose on just enough so it creates a slow trickle of water (you don’t want it gushing out). Now place the hose around the tree’s base, allowing the water to soak into the soil.
Don’t just let the water soak around the base of your tree. Rather, wait for it to soak deep inside the soil. Ideally, water should soak at least 12” below the soil to provide optimal hydration for your tree. Watering should be done slowly, however, to retain the soil’s structure.
When to Water Your Newly Planted Tree
The time of day during which you water a newly planted tree will directly affect its growth and development. Ideally, it’s best to water newly planted trees in the evening, after the mid-day sun has subsided. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to wait until nightfall. Instead, wait until the scorching mid-day heat has declined.
Why is this important? Well, watering your newly planted tree when it’s the hottest time of day will result in some of the water evaporating. So even if you use the right amount of water, your tree may only receive a fraction of it.
The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.
If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or
Nice Article . thanks for sharing with us .
The trees are really nice because they provide us with oxygen to breathe. I do not know what we would do if we did not have trees on the planet. I did not know that watering your plants during different times of the day would affect its growth, I will have to check that out for myself.
I just planted some trees in my backyard and want to take good care of them. Thanks for the advice about how you should water the soil slowly so that it maintains its structure. Now I just need to get a tree service to help me take good care of my seedlings.
My wife and I recently planted some trees in our backyard for our anniversary. You mentioned that watering helps to ease the transition, encouraging healthy growth and development. I had no idea that there was so much care needed to plant a tree. Are there tree planting services that can guide someone through the process?
This is some really good information about how to care for a new tree. I like that you pointed out that you should water a newly planted tree in the evening. It does seem like it would be a good idea to have a tree service professional help you maintain your new tree.
I appreciate your advice to water newly planted trees daily for a couple of weeks. I wonder if there is an ideal season during which to plant your tree? When I plant a new tree I’ll be sure and follow your watering guidelines, thanks for the tips!
Hi Baxter,
The best time to plant new trees depends on where you live and the climate there. Here in Central Texas it’s best to plant new trees in the fall so they have plenty of time to establish a good root system before the harsh heat of summer begins.
Awesome Article
Looking forward to your further tips on similar topics Thanks…
Thanks for sharing these wonderful tips
I really appreciate it.
This is some really good information about how to care for a new tree. I like that you pointed out that you should water a newly planted tree in the evening. It does seem like it would be a good idea to have a tree service professional help you maintain your new tree.
Great tips here. Thanks for sharing great and useful tips!