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Irrigation duration recommendations


DETERMINING HOW MANY MONTHS IRRIGATION SHOULD BE PROVIDED
BASED ON CLIMATE AND TREE SIZE AT PLANTING
  USDA hardiness zone
Maximum trunk diameter at planting (in inches) 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 To ensure establishment, tree should be irrigated:
12 months
10 months 7 months 5 months 3 months 3 months
2 24 months 20 months 15 months 10 months 6 months 6 months
3 36 months 30 months 23 months 16 months 9 months 9 months
4 48 months 39 months 30 months 21 months 12 months 12 months


Maximum recommended tree size at planting depends on climate and how long trees can be irrigated after planting. For example, if irrigation can be provided for six months after planting in USDA hardiness zone 9, maximum trunk diameter at planting is two inches. With six months' irrigation, maximum trunk diameter for planting in zone 5 would be about one-half inch. Irrigation should be provided during dry weather in the growing season for 24 months after planting a two-inch tree in USDA hardiness zone 5.