Author Topic: Best way to water young trees  (Read 2135 times)

jcaldeira

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Best way to water young trees
« on: August 20, 2014, 07:23:25 PM »
During a period of drought, is it better to water deeply at one place in the root zone, or spread it out with a lighter watering?   I water some of my one and two year old trees pouring from 20-liter plastic cans (no hose to reach).
 
It's not really practical for me to give each young tree more than one 20-liter can of water per week.  I'm trying to maximize water uptake by the tree, but also encourage deep roots.  The soil is clay-loam and soaks up the water quickly in most places. Most of these trees were planted 9 or 21 months ago at the start of the rainy season.  So, pour it one spot or spread it around under the tree?
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DuncanYoung

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Re: Best way to water young trees
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2014, 07:26:45 PM »
I would spread around tree.  No way to run micro drip irrigation? 

Saltcayman

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Re: Best way to water young trees
« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2014, 07:48:28 PM »
I think it depends on what type of soil you have. But overall better to spread it out around the drip line.  A few inches of mulch will help hold and distribute the water over a few days.

jcaldeira

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Re: Best way to water young trees
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2014, 03:56:49 PM »
Drip irrigation is not practical due to the distances and hilly nature of the land.  Also, I'm watering only for the first year or two, until the tree roots are well-established and can withstand draught on their own.

The soil is clay-loam.
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Saltcayman

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Re: Best way to water young trees
« Reply #4 on: August 22, 2014, 02:43:35 AM »
You could also make a few of these for each small tree.   Bury around the drip line.   http://m.wikihow.com/Make-a-Drip-Irrigator-from-a-Plastic-Bottle