Keep Your Trees Healthy During Drought: Essential Watering Strategies and Tips

Trees are among the most valuable assets in your landscape. They require special attention to remain healthy and resilient during and after droughts. With changing climate patterns and frequent drought conditions, proper watering techniques have become more critical. This updated guide shares five expert tips for watering trees during a drought so your trees continue to thrive, even in tough times.

1. Recognize the Importance of Deep Watering

Many trees are planted on turf and are watered only when the turf is watered. This approach is far from ideal. When trees share watering schedules with lawns, they often receive shallow watering. Water restrictions and limited watering days in many regions can exacerbate the problem.

When you run spray heads over turf containing trees, the water barely penetrates the soil. For example, a 10-minute run time might only allow water to reach eight inches deep. In contrast, most trees have roots extending to 24 inches or more. Shallow watering fails to meet trees’ deep-water needs and encourages the development of shallow roots. Shallow-rooted trees are particularly vulnerable during droughts because they cannot access the deeper soil moisture reserves.

2. Upgrade to Slow Watering with Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation is one of the most effective ways to provide deep, slow watering for your trees. Unlike spray heads, drip emitters deliver water directly to the root zone slowly and consistently. This technique encourages the roots to grow deeper, making trees more resilient during extended dry periods.

Schedule slow watering sessions once or twice a month during a drought. This deep watering technique helps ensure that water reaches the full depth of the root system. Several cost-effective devices you can build at home to modify your drip irrigation system for slow, deep watering. These simple modifications can significantly affect water penetration and overall tree health.

3. Special Considerations for Young Trees

Young trees are especially vulnerable during drought conditions. Their root systems are still developing and require consistent moisture to establish a strong foundation. A general rule of thumb is that young trees need about 5 gallons of water twice a week. This helps young trees build robust roots without the risk of overwatering, which can lead to root rot and other issues.

If you’re on a budget or looking for an efficient method, consider using tree watering bags or 5-gallon buckets with strategically placed holes. These methods allow water to seep slowly into the ground, ensuring that it reaches the tree’s deeper roots over time. This practice not only supports healthy growth but also helps conserve water during times when every drop counts.

4. Avoid Pruning During a Drought

It might seem counterintuitive, but drought conditions are not the ideal time to prune your trees. Pruning during a drought can remove part of the canopy that the tree relies on to regulate its temperature and manage water loss. The canopy is crucial in shading the tree and reducing water evaporation from the trunk and the soil around the roots. Instead, delay any non-essential pruning until after the drought has subsided. This extra foliage will help your tree maintain a healthier balance during stressful dry periods.

5. Delay Fertilization Until Conditions Improve

Fertilizers often contain salts and other compounds that can build up in the soil. Under normal circumstances, rainwater helps flush these salts away. However, during a drought, the lack of consistent rainfall means these salts accumulate in the root zone. Excessive salt in the soil can impede a tree’s ability to absorb water and nutrients, exacerbating drought stress. For this reason, it is best to hold off on fertilizing until there is a consistent forecast of rain. This pause allows the soil to naturally dilute accumulated salts and better prepare your trees for healthy growth once favorable conditions return.

Additional Considerations for Drought Management

Beyond these five tips, consider incorporating mulch around the base of your trees. A 2- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch can help conserve soil moisture, regulate temperature, and reduce evaporation. Be sure to keep mulch several inches away from the trunk to prevent moisture buildup that could lead to rot.

Monitoring soil moisture is also crucial. Investing in a soil moisture sensor can give you real-time data about the water content in the root zone. This information lets you adjust your irrigation schedule more accurately and avoid under and over-watering.

Finally, remember that prevention is key. Regularly assess the health of your trees and the efficiency of your watering systems. During normal rainfall, ensure your irrigation system is calibrated to provide deep, infrequent watering. This proactive approach helps your trees develop the deep root systems they need to withstand future drought conditions.

Applying these expert tips and adjustments to your watering practices can help ensure that your trees remain healthy and resilient, even during the most challenging drought conditions. Remember, investing in the proper care of your trees is an investment in your landscape’s long-term beauty and value.