Watering Fruit Trees During Drought

The trick is to water deeply ideally using a soaker hose to help the water reach a depth of 8 12 inches.

Watering fruit trees during drought.

The less you water your fruit tree the deeper and wider the roots will grow in search of moisture. If mulch is next to the tree the bark could rot. Mulching helps the tree retain moisture. Slow deep watering every five to seven days during drought is ideal for mature trees in the midwest or northeast and four to six days during drought for mature trees in areas with 95 to 105 degree temperatures fahrenheit.

All trees should also receive adequate water during the winter months too but water can be less frequent. From november to march reduce watering to every other week. Water trees during a drought. But their growth may be improved by watering when they are under drought stress trees and shrubs planted less than five years ago have increased water requirements and may suffer drought stress without watering.

In drought deeply water young trees with 5 15 gallons of water weekly from april through october. A small windbreak tree one planted a year or two ago still needs about 2 or 3 gallons of water a week. A 2 inch diameter tree measured at 6 inches above the ground should receive about 20 gallons of water a week during drought periods. At least once a week watering but preferably 2 3 times a week if you get no rainfall.

It is far more efficient than applying a lot of water at once which ends up as run off. The trees in your yard need you. But during extended periods of drought all trees benefit from supplemental watering. This will increase the strength and vigor of the tree.

Be sure to water the entire root zone beneath the tree canopy. If you can spare the water water large trees twice a month. Keep the mulch at least 6 inches from the trunk. Drought stress causes wilting yellowing of the leaves advanced leaf fall and premature fruit ripening or fruit drop.

Established trees and shrubs do not generally need watering as they have such wide ranging roots that they are drought proof. Spread the mulch all around the tree. Generally in drought mature trees can survive with a monthly watering from april through october. All size trees should be watered especially during drought conditions because normal rainfall is non existent.

Often drought stress is associated with heat stress during the hot summer months. When water demand of a fruit tree is higher than supply drought stress occurs. Add 3 4 inches of mulch. The best time to water is typically in the morning.

According to skip richter county agent with the texas agrilife extension service in houston during periods of drought the goal is to provide just enough supplemental irrigation to maximize growth on young trees and to keep older established trees healthy.