Expert: Jim Hyland - 7/22/2004

Question
We have three leylands planted in our yard.  Our soil is clay.  I am wondering how often I need to water them and the best method of doing so.  We have had these trees replaced two times now and really want to see this trio make it.  Two of them are newly planted as of last week, the third has been in for about 3 months and has patches of dead branches in it.  I have used hollytone fertilizer and evergreen tree spikes on the ones that died.  It is very possible that I over-watered the last two based on the recommendations of the people that planted them.  Is there a good way to gauge when they need water to avoid the same problem this time.  Thank you for your help.

Answer
There are several ways to gauge the amount of water that is put on a tree. Normally a tree needs about 1 inch of water a week. The method I use is place a pan that is at least 1 inch deep under the tree within the path of the watering device you are using (sprinkler) and water and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop watering. Do this agian the next week IF it dose not rain. You can purchase a rain gauge to determine the amount of rain water that you may want to suppliment with the sprinkler.