The last thing most of our clients want to do on a Sunday afternoon in winter is unpacked their garden hose to water their trees. We don’t blame you – but if you don’t see that your landscape trees get *sufficient* water, don’t be surprised when they’re suffering next summer. Here’s what the CSU website has to say – it’s informative if a bit “dry.”
“Established large trees have a root spread equal to or greater than the height of the tree. Apply water to the most critical part of the root zone within the dripline. Dry air, low precipitation, little soil moisture, and fluctuating temperatures are characteristics of fall and winter in many areas of Colorado. There often can be little or no snow cover to provide soil moisture, particularly from October through March. Trees, shrubs, perennials, and lawns can be damaged if they do not receive supplemental water.”
Get a free quote on winter watering.
The result of long, dry periods during fall and winter is injury or death to parts of plant root systems. Affected plants may appear perfectly normal and resume growth in the spring using stored food energy. Plants may be weakened and all or parts may die in late spring or summer when temperatures rise. Weakened plants also may be subject to insect and disease problems.
Water trees, shrubs, lawns, and perennials during prolonged dry fall and winter periods to prevent root damage that affects the health of the entire plant. Water only when air and soil temperatures are above 40 degrees F with no snow cover. Established large trees have a root spread equal to or greater than the height of the tree. Apply water to the most critical part of the root zone within the dripline.
Promoting Root Growth
Winter watering is a process where we add 10 gallons of water per caliper inch on average, to the tree during the dry winter months. And typically, no matter how much snow we get, we *do* remain relatively dry here in the high plains desert.
The arborists here are also big believers in mycorrhizae treatments which is an addon service because it helps the tree with water and nutrients as well as promotes root growth.
Highlights of mycorrhizal treatment :
- Mycorrhizae exploit the natural symbiotic relationship between certain fungi and tree roots.
- According to USDA scientists, plants could thrive with much less chemical fertilizer and water.
- Tree planting success can improve substantially.
more details about our Root Stimulator applications with mycorrhizal treatment are here.
