KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – KEEP YOUR TREES HEALTHY AND THRIVING

KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – KEEP YOUR TREES HEALTHY AND THRIVING

A newly planted 8 foot tall tree needs 20 gallons of water a week. Larger trees can usually go three weeks without a deep watering but older trees’ water needs should also be carefully monitored. People are often more concerned about leaf growth when they should be concerned more about root growth.

The top 12 to 24 inches hold the roots that take up the bulk of the water into the tree. Water deeply to reach these roots around the drip line (the circular area under the tree’s outermost branches.) You can pay attention to rain amounts with a rain gauge but this is not always a guarantee that your tree is getting enough water. Dig down under the tree a few inches to see if the soil is evenly moist. Use mulch to retain moisture longer.

A regular garden sprinkler is not sufficient to water deeply enough for a large tree. The new tree watering bags are great to maintain sufficient moisture. Wrap them around the tree and fill them weekly. Don’t forget to remove them for the winter. There are also deep watering poles with holes in the bottom. These attach to a hose and are placed in the ground in various spots around the drip line. If you are without any of these fancy watering methods an open hose trickling around the drip line does the trick.

Happy Gardening!

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO