Don’t Water your Tree Trunks

Many of you may have sprinklers or an irrigation system to insure your grass, flowers, and shrubs are getting the water they need. While you make not think twice about the irrigation water hitting your tree’s trunk, as Arborists’ we do. Did you know?

• Tree trunks don’t absorb water for the purpose of growth.
• Water droplets often serve as vehicles to carry bacteria to your tree.
• The water that does fall to the ground around the tree is too close and does not benefit the water-absorbing roots closer to the outside of the canopy.

To better irrigate your grass, flowers, and shrubs without drenching your tree’s trunk:

• Place or direct sprinklers or irrigation systems to avoid tree trunks.
• If you can’t avoid the tree trunk, adjust the spray to spare as much of the tree trunk as possible.
• If you want to water your tree, place the sprinkler half way between the trunk and the edge of the canopy and remember tree roots need to be watered longer than any other plant in your yard.