It’s winter, so you don’t need to water your trees, right? Because we live in Utah, it depends. Deciduous trees are dormant over the winter, so they don’t need to be watered. But in years (like this one) when we receive very little snow in the winter, make sure you water your evergreen trees deeply.
How to Determine if Your Evergreen Tree Needs Water
Evergreens need about 1 inch of water each week when temperatures consistently reach over 40°F. They may need slightly more water during hot, dry summers when temperatures are above 95°F—especially trees that are younger than 2 years old.
Young trees that are still establishing their root zone benefit the most when the soil nearby is moist. You can check soil moisture by digging a few inches deep into the soil near the tree. If it’s dry, then your evergreen needs water!
How to Water Your Trees
Installing a soaker irrigation system along the tree’s drip line (where water would drop off the outer edges of the tree onto the ground) will save you time and allow for more consistent watering. If you don’t have an irrigation system in place, you can use a hose instead. Follow these steps to water your evergreen trees deeply using a garden hose:
- Turn the hose on low and place it on the ground at a point along the tree’s drip line.
- Leave the hose for about 10 minutes.
- Water along the entire drip line of the tree, placing the hose down every 3 feet and watering for about 10 minutes each time.
- For large trees, move a few feet closer to the tree and water in a smaller circle around the tree.
Seasonal Watering Requirements for Evergreen Trees
In late fall, make sure you water your tree well to keep it healthy over the winter. You won’t need to water in winter if it snows regularly and remains under 40°F. However, during extended periods of warm weather in winter, your tree will need water to keep it healthy. You can follow the steps in the section above to water your tree correctly.
The Best Climate for Evergreen Trees
Evergreen trees grow naturally at higher elevations where they receive plenty of moisture over the winter months. When they are planted in the valley, they rarely receive the amount of water they need to thrive. However, with proper watering, evergreen trees can survive at lower elevations.
Drought-stressed evergreen trees are vulnerable to additional problems with insects and diseases. If your tree is dying and consistent watering is not helping your tree to recover, it might be struggling with another issue. Our ISA-certified arborists can diagnose problems with your trees and create a treatment plan to help them thrive. Call or text our office (801-226-2261) to talk with one of our ISA-certified arborists and to receive a free service quote!