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Watering Trees and Shrubs
Watering Trees and Shrubs
Spring was very wet for much of the Midwest, but now we have entered into a hot, dry spell, which is not that unusual for summer. All that rain this past spring allowed trees and shrubs to grow well and produce lots of leaves. Now that the rain has stopped and the heat has increased, many plants are dropping leaves. This could be the result of the recent hot and dry weather.
If the leaves on your plants are drooping, it usually means that they are in need of water. The best way to water a larger tree or shrub is a slow, steady trickle from a garden hose directed at the base of the plants. Leave it at the base of the plant for 15 to 20 minutes and check the soil to see if it is getting wet more than an inch or so. The goal is to keep the soil wet down to 8 to 12 inches. Move the hose and water different areas under the tree to get the entire area watered. Most sprinklers are designed to water large areas, so they usually don’t work well to water established trees or shrubs.
If, after watering, your plant is still drooping, that could be a sign of a bigger problem, such as a disease or insect infestation. This may require you to contact a tree care service to have them come out and check your plants. There are numerous other possibilities that could cause a plant to lose its vitality. It is better to have someone who can identify these problems and provide the best recommendation to help your plants grow.