Disclaimer on irrigation requirements

Many factors govern irrigation requirements on recently planted trees. Some of these are listed below. These must be considered and irrigation needs adjusted accordingly. Irrigation is more art than science.

  • species
  • climate
  • time of year
  • irrigation frequency
  • root bound nursery stock or not
  • irrigation amount
  • sun/shade
  • amendments in planting bed
  • plant size
  • irrigation duration and delivery schedule
  • mulch depth and type
  • soil drainage
  • rainfall amount and patterns
  • root ball slicing
  • planting on raised berm vs. level ground
  • irrigation placement
  • slope
  • plant spacing
  • soil type
  • depth to water table
  • subsurface compacted soil layers
  • planting depth
  • soil fertility
  • pruning timing and amount
  • presence of existing root systems
  • salt air, wind
  • soil compaction
  • plant nutrition status
  • fertilizer application
  • stage of growth
  • available soil volume