Tree Watering Requirements

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Watering Your New Street Trees

Congratulations on your new street tree. Trees improve property values and provide shade. They also help purify our air and water. Trees even make our streets safer and quieter.

Terminology

Deciduous tree - A tree that loses its leaves in the fall. Deciduous trees will need less water than evergreen trees during the fall-winter months.
Evergreen tree - A tree that keeps its foliage year-round. Evergreen trees may need more water in the fall-winter months if there's insufficient rainfall.
Root ball - The entire mass of the tree's roots (removed from the planter and planted in the ground).

Water

Proper care will ensure your new tree grows to be strong and healthy. New trees need adequate water to grow. During the first year of planting a new tree needs about 5 to 10 gallons of water weekly for health. For the tree's first year this totals 260 to 520 gallons. This is a yearly cost of under $5.

The first 30 days are crucial to the tree's survival. The tree's roots are still in the root ball. Apply water over the root ball and wet completely.
30 to 120 Days - The tree's roots will expand into the surrounding native soil. Tree roots only grow into moist soil. They don't grow into dry soil. Follow the watering schedule to wet the surrounding native soil.

Trees and water are both precious resources. The watering schedules below will support both. Follow the correct watering schedule for your tree.

Trees Planted in Spring and Summer - Watering Schedule

Timing from Planting	Water Frequency	Water Amount
First 30 Days	3 times per week, about every other day, directly over root ball	2 to 3 gallons each watering
30 to 120 Days	3 times per week. For one watering wet the surrounding native soil.	2 to 3 gallons twice a week. 3 to 5 gallons once per week to wet native soil.
4 to 6 months	1 to 2 days per week*	2 gallons of water each watering
6 to 12 months	once per week*	2 to 3 gallons each watering
Years 2 and 3	once per week, primarily May through August*	3 to 5 gallons each watering

*Wet surrounding native soil at each watering.

Trees Planted in Fall and Winter - Watering Schedule

Timing from Planting	Water Frequency	Water Amount
First 30 Days	3 times per week, about every other day, directly over root ball Deciduous trees - may only need weekly watering if there's enough rainfall Evergreen trees - may need watering 2-3 times a week if days are sunny	2 to 3 gallons each watering
30 to 120 Days	3 times per week. For one watering wet the surrounding native soil.	2 to 3 gallons twice a week. 3 to 5 gallons once per week to wet native soil.
4 to 6 months	1 to 2 times per week	2 gallons each watering
6 to 12 months	once per week*	2 to 3 gallons each watering
Years 2 and 3	once per week, primarily May through August*	3 to 5 gallons each watering

*Wet surrounding native soil at each watering.