How to help your trees survive a Texas summer

By Texas Trees Foundation
Jun 16, 2008

Dallas - With temperatures soaring into the triple digits, drying winds and lack of rainfall, the Texas Trees Foundation receives calls daily from area residents asking the question, “How much water do I need to apply to my new and existing trees?”

Seventy percent of all water usage is in the landscape and much of that water never reaches the roots of the trees. The majority of tree roots are in the top 12-18″ of soil. So, you must saturate the soil to water your tree. Sprinkling your lawn won’t provide the amount of water needed to nurture your trees.

A typical shade tree can evaporate, or sweat, approximately 50-70 gallons of water a day. This “mist” is what helps us feel cooler and coupled with the shade makes our outdoor experience more enjoyable on a hot summer day.

Summer tree care is important. The Texas Trees Foundation has some basic guidelines to ensure the survival of our most important plant - trees.

Water trees at night with an open end hose and slowly trickle water until the soil is saturated to a depth of 12-18″ of soil. Since most of the trees roots are in the top 12-18″ of soil it’s important to move the hose to different areas under the drip line of the tree. The drip line of a tree is an imaginary circular line following the furthest limits of the trees branches.

Water newly planted trees at the base of the tree making sure to saturate the entire root ball area. Water as needed, perhaps as often as twice a week during the first two years after planting and mulch with a minimum of 4″ of mulch to help retain the moisture.

Trees that are 2″ in diameter or larger should be watered at the drip-line of the tree where the majority of the feeder roots are located. Water every two weeks - water more when there are high temperatures, windy days and not much rain.

Remember: During drought, the goal of irrigation should be to sustain the tree, not watering for maximum growth.

The Texas Trees Foundation is a non-profit tree planting organization dedicated to greening North Central Texas. Established in 1982, the Texas Trees Foundation manages the nation’s largest non-profit urban tree farm and plants trees on public property.

For more information: Visit the Texas Trees Foundation website http://www.texastreesfoundation.org/. If you are interested in organizing a planting project in your community call (214)953-1184 or visit their website at

http://www.texastreesfoundation.org/.

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