Watering trees - Sacramento Tree Foundation

Watering

Unlike grass and other plants, trees need deep and slow watering to develop strong root systems and thrive

Download our water wise tree care guide

Get a printable version of our water wise tree care guide to save for reference or share with your neighbors.

Frequently asked questions

How often and how much should I water my tree?

The amount of water your tree needs depends on your soil, tree type, and weather. Trees might need more frequent watering in hot and windy weather.

How do you know when it's time to water? Check the soil!

Use a screwdriver or soil probe to check the soil at least 6 inches below the surface near the drip line of your tree (the imaginary circle at the farthest reaches of the tree's branches). If the soil is hard, dry, and crumbly, add water with a slow soak. If the soil is wet and sticky, allow it to dry before adding more water.

Slowly apply water until the soil becomes moist 6 inches below the surface. Check every 10-20 minutes or to see if the water has reached this depth.

Take note of how long it takes to water your tree, and how long you can go in between watering for the soil to dry out, then schedule regular reminders to water your trees.

In general, young trees will need water 1-3 times per week for the first 3 years after planting. Established and mature trees will need water about once per month in dry months. Some types of native trees will not need summer water in non-drought years.

What are the watering restrictions and days where I live?

When following water wise techniques below, trees are exempt from most watering restrictions and schedules because they are too valuable to lose. It's great to let your lawn turn gold, but keep your trees and our communities green. Check out this map to learn more about watering guidelines for your property.

Water wise techniques that are exempt from most watering restrictions/schedules:

Drip irrigation
Soaker hoses
Hose-end sprinklers on a low setting
Hand watering with a hose fitted with a shut-off nozzle
Bucket watering
Gray water (only use biodegradable soaps) and harvested rainwater

Typically, only overhead sprinklers and water waste/runoff are restricted.

How much does it cost to water mature trees?

Other water wise tree tips

Adding natural wood chip mulch around your tree will conserve moisture in the soil and provide a whole host of other benefits for your tree.

Do not use rocks, decomposed granite, weed block fabric, or artificial turf around trees' root zones — they will increase water runoff and trap heat in the soil.

Avoid using fertilizer unless you have identified a specific nutrient deficiency in your soil. Trees do not need fertilizer. Fertilizer encourages green leafy growth, which requires more water.

Wait until winter to prune your trees. Response growth that occurs after summer pruning will require more water.

Don't overwater trees! Roots need water, but they need oxygen too. Check soil moisture before watering, and water slowly to prevent wasteful runoff.

Reuse water whenever possible. Place a 5 gallon bucket in your shower while waiting for the water to warm up. Also consider harvesting rainwater or reusing gray water from your laundry as long as only biodegradable soaps are used.

How to water young trees

1-3 years after planting

An illustration shows a 5-gallon bucket with a small hole near the bottom placed near the rootball of a young tree to water it. The tree has been mulched with wood chips to conserve moisture.

For the first three years after planting, all trees need regular water to get established. Don't rely on lawn sprinklers — they do not soak soil deeply enough to encourage a healthy, deep root system for your tree.

The roots of young trees are located mostly near the trunk.

The easiest way to water young trees? Drill a small 1/8" hole near the bottom of a 5-gallon bucket. Place a piece of duct tape over the hole, fill the bucket with water, place it near the root ball, and remove the tape to allow water to slowly drain into the soil.

AGE	FREQUENCY	AMOUNT
1 yr	2-3 times/week	1 bucket
2 yrs	Once per week	2 buckets
3 yrs	Every other week	3 buckets

You can also use a small soaker hose, drip tubing or emitters, or a hose sprinkler on a very low setting. Avoid spraying the trunk, and expand the watering zone outward as the tree grows.

These items are helpful to have on hand:

5 gallon bucket

Cordless drill with 1/8" bit

Duct tape

Hose or spigot nearby

How to water established trees

3+ years after planting

An illustration shows the drip line of a mature tree, which is the circular area just underneath the furthest reaches of its branches. This is where to apply water. Wood chip mulch has been applied around the tree to help conserve water.

Don't rely on lawn sprinklers - they won't water deeply enough to reach tree roots. Instead, slowly soak the tree's drip line, the circular area under the farthest reaches of the branches, until water reaches 12-18 inches below the surface. Don't water close to the trunk.

You can use:

A soaker hose
A hose sprinkler on a low setting
Drip tubing or emitters

If the root zone extends under hardscape or beyond your property, slowly soak as much of the root zone as possible.

Native trees like blue oaks, which have never received regular irrigation, may be harmed by adding extra water in the summer. Depending on rainfall, they may need supplemental water from fall through spring in dry years. Contact a certified arborist if you have questions about the health of your native or mature tree.