Winter Watering Trees and Shrubs

Winter watering newly planted trees and shrubs is very important.  Locally, our winters are usually our driest months.  For newly planted (five years and newer) trees and shrubs those months can be brutal.  Make sure to water to prevent damage.

Evergreen trees and shrubs will suffer the most as they can still transpire moisture through their needles/leaves unlike a deciduous tree or shrub that lost all their leaves.  Even though the ground may be frozen they can still dry out.  To prevent this mist their needles two to three times per month.  Try to imitate a slow soaking rain and move back and forth many times to really soak them.   Only water the soil if the ground is not frozen. 

For deciduous trees try and soak the rootball really good once a month.  Follow our watering guide here to really soak the rootball.  Again, if the ground is frozen their is not much you can do.