What to Do if You Overwater a Tree

Damage

• Over-watered trees have reduced oxygen flowing to the roots due to consistently wet soil that simulate flood-like injuries in trees, resulting in shallow root growth that in turn produces poorly growing trees that are also prone to wind damage. The newly emerging tree foliage is light green to yellow in color, and the new shoots are mostly wilted. As the leaves mature, they are brittle in texture. The wet soil frequently encourages the growth of mushrooms and algae around the tree base.

Remedy

• If trees have been over-watered, stop irrigating the tree and let the soil dry out. Dig away the grass and soil from around the tree in a shallow circle, and fill this area with gravel. Do not start watering again unless the soil is dry. Water newly planted trees when the top 1 inch of the soil is dry. For established trees, wait until the top 2 to 4 inches of the soil is completely dry, recommends Daniel Prendergast and Erin Prendergast in "The Tree Doctor." Mature trees rarely need water except in periods of drought.

Watering New Trees

• Plant newly planted trees regularly and enough to keep the root ball moist and the ground around it moist all through the first season of growth, which is usually one to three times a week. Decrease frequency and increase the amount of water as trees mature.

Watering Mature Trees

• Water the mature and established trees enough to keep 1 to 3 feet of soil around trees moist but not wet, which is usually once in 7 to 14 days, depending on weather conditions, which helps the tree develop a deep and strong root system. Apply water both outward as well as inward since tree roots also spread horizontally. Avoid watering trees with less water and for short periods as this leads to a shallow root system. Avoid getting the foliage and trunks excessively wet as this promotes waterborne disorders.