Watering Trees During Draught

EXTRA WATER IS KEY TO TREE SURVIVAL DURING DROUGHTS 



UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Like all plants, trees need water. A horticulture 
expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences says homeowners 
shouldn't forget to water their trees in times of drought.

"When there is little or no rainfall, trees need an extra 1 to 3 inches of 
water per week," says Bob Nuss, professor of ornamental horticulture. 
"Without extra water, tree roots die, and the tree becomes weakened -- making 
it more susceptible to damage from diseases and insects."

Nuss suggests splitting watering into two heavy applications per week. "Two 
waterings lessen the chance of runoff," he adds.

Nuss recommends drip irrigation or a soaker hose for efficient watering. 
"Sprinklers are less effective, and the constant wetting of foliage can 
promote pest problems," he says.

Trees should be watered out to the dripline, which is an imaginary line 
corresponding to the farthest extension of the tree's branches. "To conserve 
moisture, keep a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch over the root system," he says. 
"You can use pine straw, wheat straw, wood chips, pine bark or other 
materials."

In a drought, timing is everything when it comes to watering, Nuss says.

Although it's not convenient for most homeowners, the best time to water is 
between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Trees absorb more water during these hours, there 
is less evaporation, and insects are not as active.

Nuss says homeowners should set watering priorities for all plants, placing 
trees at the top of the list. "Turfgrass and most ornamentals are replaceable 
-- 100-year-old oak trees are not," Nuss says.

Nuss recommends watering trees using the following priority scale:

--First, water all trees transplanted this year or last year.

--Second, water trees that have been in the ground two to five years. Their 
root systems are still undeveloped and may sustain more damage during a 
drought.

--Water all large trees with sentimental or historical significance. Then 
water all other trees.



### 

EDITORS: For more information, contact Bob Nuss at (814) 863-2196. 

Contacts: 

John Wall 
jtw3@psu.edu 
(814) 863-2719 
(814) 865-1068 fax 




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For information about these Web pages, contact:
Eston Martz
Agricultural Information Services
Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences
106 Agricultural Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802 

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