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Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Your trees and shrubs could use a drink by Vicky Spelman

Image Credit: Denver Water

Prolonged dry periods and high winds can dry trees and soil. Watering your trees and shrubs will help ensure their optimum health. Water only when temperatures are above 40ยบ F during the middle of the day so it has time to soak in. 

Watering your landscape throughout the winter is crucial if we are not getting moisture. Trees should be watered 10 gallons per inch of trunk diameter at knee height. If we get winter moisture, that amount can be reduced. Water to a depth of 12 inches since the majority of your tree’s roots are in the top 6-24 inches of soil.  

Apply water to many locations under the drip line - water slowly and deeply.  

Ideally your trees should be watered three times in September, and then cut back to once or twice a month October through March. Water young trees that are not established and evergreens twice monthly if possible. 

A tree takes one year for each caliper inch of trunk diameter to establish. If you planted a two-inch tree, you will need to provide extra supplemental water for two years until it can get established.

Check Denver Water's: Tips on Tree Watering from the Colorado Tree Coalition