How often and how much should I water a newly planted tree?

Improper watering — usually too little, sometimes too much — is the number one killer of newly planted trees. A new tree has lost most of its root system and can't yet pull water from the surrounding soil, so it depends on you through its first 1-3 growing seasons.

A reliable watering schedule:

• Weeks 1-2: Water daily (assuming no heavy rain)
• Weeks 3-12: Water every 2-3 days
• After 12 weeks until established: Water weekly through the first 1-2 growing seasons

How much:

• Apply about 1-1.5 gallons per inch of trunk diameter at each watering
• Water slowly at the root ball and just beyond, letting it soak in deeply rather than running off
• A slow hose trickle, soaker hose, or a 5-gallon bucket with small holes works well

Check before you water:

Stick a finger or screwdriver 2-3 inches into the soil at the edge of the root ball. Water when it feels dry; skip if it's still moist. Both drought and waterlogging kill roots — soggy soil suffocates them.

Set it up for success:

• Apply a 2-4 inch ring of mulch over the root zone (but keep it 3-4 inches off the trunk — no mulch volcanoes)
• Reduce watering in fall; resume the following spring if rainfall is short

See our Planting Guide for the full process.