Thanks to neighbor, landscape designer, and 75 for 75 project organizer Mike Wicker, for these tips!

A newly planted tree needs consistent, deep watering to establish strong roots—especially during a North Texas summer. Lawn sprinklers and brief hand-watering usually wet only the soil’s surface and may not reach the tree’s root ball.

How to water deeply

• Place a garden hose near the outer edge of the root ball—not directly against the trunk.  For trees planted in January this may be 2’-3’ away from the trunk.  For last year’s trees, this may be 3’-4’ away.
• Turn the water on to a slow trickle and move the hose to several locations around the tree so the entire root ball is watered evenly.
• Continue until the soil is moist about 8–12 inches deep. A screwdriver pushed into the soil is an easy way to check; it will slide readily through moist soil and resist when it reaches dry soil.

A general watering schedule

• First growing season: Water deeply once or twice a week.
• During extreme heat or drought: Check the soil more frequently and water when it begins to dry.
• During cool or rainy periods: Reduce watering as needed.

The goal is moist soil—not constantly saturated soil. Before watering, check the soil a few inches below the surface. If it still feels wet, wait another day or two.

Avoid these common mistakes

• Don’t rely solely on your lawn sprinkler system.
• Don’t water only at the trunk.  **If you used a Gator bag, this should be removed after 3-4 months.  Watering should now be extended 3'-4' out from the trunk to accommodate the growing new roots.  Watering near the trunk at this stage can cause rot and disease.
• Don’t give the tree a quick daily sprinkle; this encourages shallow roots.
• Don’t pile mulch against the trunk. Keep mulch several inches away from the bark.
• Don’t assume rain has soaked the root ball—light rain often wets only the surface.

Consistent deep watering during the first year is one of the most important things you can do to help a new tree survive, establish healthy roots, and thrive for years to come.