Irrigation

Take it easy. Young trees do not use much water in the Spring. However, they also do not have much water available to them at any one time, as their root systems are limited. The tree will not use much water until it starts to grow, so take it easy in April and May. Short sets (four to six hours) applied every ten days or so when the weather is cool, then every week or so until mid-June will probably be adequate on all but the most sandy soils. On sand, you need more frequency, not more water, so shorten the sets.

After the weather gets warm in June and later, and the trees really begin to grow vigorously, both frequency and duration of sets must be increased. Seek information about how to adjust irrigation to the weather, the soil and the trees. As cooler weather returns, often starting in mid to late August, you should reduce your frequency of watering.

Water Use by Week - 30 Year Average:

The young tree needs help avoiding root and collar rot, which is most likely to start in the Fall or Spring in overly-wet soils.

Finally, send the young tree into the Winter with moist soil to help prevent winter cold damage to the roots.

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