Expert: Jim Hyland - 6/20/2009

Question
Hi Jim,
I just read your info on watering cedars that are newly planted.  Are you able to give me a timeframe for watering such as an 1/2 hour or hour?  We have a soaker hose set up under the cedars at this time.  You said all you need is one inch of water in a pan for the first year until the first frost.  Is 1 hour of watering too long?  At this time we have noticed that some of the branches are turning golden brown.  Does this mean that we are not watering enough or is it just that the trees are in a state of shock?
Thank you!

Answer
for new planted trees I would water every third day for the first 4-6 weeks then once a week. Water with 1 inch of water each time. This is called deep watering and is better for the tree than a drip line. With the drip line you can not regulate the amount of water and also the roots tend to grow near the surface. The time it will take to put out the 1 inch of water will depend on the sprinkler and the water pressure. When the pan under the tree has 1 inch of water in it stop.

There is more planting shock during this time of the year than in a more favorable planting weather. A constant drip line may give too much water depending on the type of soil. If you have not done so mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches of organic mulch (pine straw is good) not piled up on the trunk. This will help hold moisture around the roots.