Tree Talk: Water, Water, Water

We’ve all been enjoying the beautiful weather this spring: sunny days, no rain. With our lawns, trees and gardens bursting with life and everything looking green, it’s easy to overlook the danger that lurks: DROUGHT. 

The best thing you can do for your yard right now is water. There is simply no piece of horticultural advice I can give that is more effective or important. There is no rain in our forecast, and there hasn’t been enough rain to sustain the rapid growth that spring demands. Plants can experience drought even when the reservoirs are full and the water table is normal; their roots are in the top foot (sometimes the top few inches) of soil, and they need periodic replenishment from rain or sprinklers. If water doesn’t regularly infiltrate the soil, plants experience drought. By the time you see the physical signs of drought, the damage is done, and may be irreversible.

Many people believe that tree roots are able to tap into deep ground water in order to sustain the tree. In our area, this is generally a fallacy: tree roots are concentrated in the top 12 inches of soil, and spread out horizontally, often far beyond the drip line of the tree. Every tree has thousands of miles of root hairs ready to carry moisture through the trunk and into the branches and leaves. They depend upon capturing water as it percolates through the soil layer.

For those of you who experienced salt water flooding from Hurricane Sandy, it is especially important to irrigate your property with enough water to dilute the salt. We have seen substantial damage from salt water flooding as well as from salt water blown from the Sound onto trees and lawns. Many plants can’t tolerate salt and the stress on their health will increase as long as salt remains in the soil. It’s still possible to reduce the salt level and allow your plants to replenish themselves with clearer water. “The solution is dilution,” in this case. Open up the sprinklers or leave the hose running and give everything a good, long soaking.

Water. Water. Water. Your lawns, your gardens, your trees and shrubs. Hopefully, we’ll have some steady drenching rains before the heat of summer arrives. In the meantime, it’s up to you.