By TJ Nagel
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist®
July 18, 2024
Every day over the last couple of weeks I have observed newly planted trees in parks, along streets, and in front yards dry up and lose all their leaves because they are not receiving adequate water. As the weather continues to heat up in central Ohio, this is the time of year to pay special attention to your newly planted trees (and shrubs) to ensure they do not dry out. All trees need water to healthily grow, photosynthesize, and be more resistant to pests and disease. However, newly planted trees (trees planted within the last 3 growing seasons) need extra watering help throughout this time of year because they have limited root systems and less access to moisture. Whether your new trees are deciduous, evergreen, big, small, or listed as a drought tolerant species, it must receive supplemental water this time of year.
As a quick review, remember that watering is the single most important maintenance factor in the care of the newly planted trees. Traditionally, tree watering should be performed regularly, slowly, deeply and in the area with active feeder roots. For more detailed information on general watering practices check out my article and video on watering HERE!
Today, I’d like to introduce a new tree watering service we are providing called Deep Root Irrigation (DRI). DRI is intended to efficiently deliver water to tree roots that need special assistance getting adequate hydration.
How Does Deep Root Irrigation Work?
With DRI, we use an irrigation lance to penetrate the surface of the soil and inject water six to eight inches deep into the root zone of the tree. Using the lance beneath the surface of the soil helps to bypass turf, groundcover, or weed roots and delivers the water directly to the root zone of the tree.
An irrigation lance used for deep root irrigation.
Additionally, the water comes out of the lance at about 200 psi and splits into four separate streams that help to break up compacted soil and add valuable pore space into the soil profile for future root growth.
The tip of an irrigation lance spraying water at about 200 psi in 4 separate streams.
Since the water is being injected directly into the root zone of the tree with no chance of run off, the water can be applied to the tree quickly as opposed to the longer, deeper soaking that is required with traditional tree watering that starts above the soil surface. With DRI we can thoroughly apply the recommended 10 gallons of water to a new planted 2 inch dbh (diameter at breast height) balled-and-burlapped tree in 2 to 3 minutes. The amount of recommended water for a tree will vary depending on the particular tree’s size, level of establishment, and planting site.
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist® TJ Nagel performing a deep root irrigation using an irrigation lance!
What Trees Benefit From Deep Root Irrigation?
While tree watering is essential for ALL trees, certain trees will benefit from deep root irrigation more than others such as:
Newly planted trees in landscapes whose owners are away during the hot or dry seasons. A 2 week gap in watering is all it takes for a tree to dry out while it’s owners are enjoying vacation
Newly planted trees that are not close to a watering source (park trees, street trees or trees inaccessible by hose)
Established trees in restricted root zones (ex: parking lots or sidewalk cut outs)
Trees that recently experienced soil compaction or root disturbance events
Established trees that have recently received a root zone invigoration
Trees experiencing stress from insect infestation or disease
Over mature trees in the beginnings of decline
Established trees during extreme periods of drought
How Often is Deep Root Irrigation Needed?
There is not a one size fits all answer to this question. Watering is essential to newly planted trees during most of the growing season (May through October). In general, a newly planted 2 inch dbh balled-and-burlapped tree should receive roughly 10 gallons of water once every 7 to 10 days. If you have newly planted trees that you regularly care for, but plan to be away for a short time on vacation during the growing season, DRI is likely to only be needed while you are away. If you have a large old tree that is in the beginnings of decline, a thorough DRI once a month during the summer months will go a long way to maintaining health and vigor. Every situation is different.
To request a quote, please visit RussellTreeExperts.com/quote or call us at 614-895-7000 and one of our 20+ ISA Certified Arborists® can help determine the best care for your trees!
DEEP ROOT IRRIGATION IN ACTION!
ADDITIONAL ARBOR ED ARTICLES!
Sincerely,
TJ Nagel I Scheduling Production Manager, Russell Tree Experts
TJ loves trees. He is an avid gardener and plant collector. TJ graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Agriculture with a major in Landscape Horticulture and minor in Entomology. TJ is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist and well versed in Plant Pathology. TJ joined Russell Tree Experts in 2012.