Abstract

Baumgardt, J. P. 1975. When, how to water your trees. Grounds Maintenance 19(6): 11-12, 14, 17.

All living tissues require a constant supply of water. When growing, plants need ample water to supply new tissues. When in leaf, plants use large amounts of water during light hours for photosynthesis and they lose water constantly through leaf pores (transpiration). The soil must contain sufficient water to supply a plant’s needs for living processes, for growth, for photosynthesis, and for respiration. Several rules apply when watering trees. First, try to follow the normal pattern of rainfall, making up any deficiencies of the moment. When you water a tree, water deeply. Newly planted trees should be watered about once each week when rainfall is less than one inch. Trees that have been planted for just a few years, say less than five years, need to be watered deeply when rainfall is scanty for two or three weeks. Try to water every older tree on the property at least once each month during a drought.

• © 1975, International Society of Arboriculture. All rights reserved.