Water trees in spring

Water is one of the most precious things we can give a tree. With enough water, trees can photosynthesize, defend themselves against diseases and pests, and repair themselves. If there's one thing we should do really well with already planted trees, it's watering. There are different challenges for each season. Here you'll find the most important tips for watering trees in spring. 

Spring: Give the tree a good start

The new Year is starting. The trees produce new shoots and leaves. They begin to bloom, thereby creating the basis for their fruits and nuts. In spring it is largely decided how much fruit a tree will produce.

Water shortages during this phase of the growing season have a significant impact on tree growth and health throughout the year. This can particularly affect flowering and fruiting. Depending on the tree's age and rainfall, it may be helpful or even necessary to support the trees at regular intervals. Especially young trees should be watered regularly in spring, as their roots do not yet reach deep enough. 

Except for frost

If there is frost or snow again in spring, you should not water trees during this time. Wait until the snow has melted or temperatures have risen above 5 degrees Celsius.

How do I water trees correctly in spring?

It's important that the trees receive enough water in spring – but not too much. Therefore, it's helpful to check the soil moisture. To do this, dig a small hole 10 to 15 centimeters deep in the root area of ​​the tree. If the soil is dry there, the tree should be watered. It's also crucial that sufficient water reaches the roots. Therefore, make sure you water the trees appropriately: with the right amount and the right method. 

The right amount of water

The water requirements of trees vary greatly depending on the tree species, age and location. The following rules of thumb are helpful:

• An average tree needs about two watering sessions, each 150 to 200 liters of water, per week in summer. In spring a tree needs significantly less water.
• The warmer and drier the weather, the more water the tree needs. If it rains regularly in spring, most trees do not need additional water.
• The amount of precipitation in recent months is also important: If these were dry, the tree needs more additional water. The winter of 2025/2026 in Germany was predominantly mild with some frosty periods and overall rainfall was too low. 
• The Soil moisture viewer of the German Weather ServiceThere you will find an estimate of the soil moisture level in your region. 

Which watering method is best suited for trees?

It is important that the water seeps into the ground as slowly as possible so that it can actually be absorbed by the soil. If the water is released too quickly, most of it will run off the surface without seeping deeper into the ground. 

A very effective tool for this is Tree watering bagsThese drip irrigation systems release water slowly. They are easy to install and can be filled with a garden hose in just a few minutes. They then release the water drop by drop over a period of 6-9 hours, preventing surface runoff. 

Watch for signs of drought stress

The typical signs of drought stress in spring are shortened shoots and leaves that remain noticeably smaller than usual. You should water your tree as soon as you notice these signs. You can find more information on this topic in the article. Trees under drought stress.

Additional support: Fertilizing

Spring is the most important time to fertilize trees. You can find more information in the article. Fertilize trees in springAt this point, we would particularly like to mention organic fertilizers such as... worm castings This is particularly important because it also activates soil life. A layer of mulch can also be helpful.  

Different every year

We are currently experiencing more frequent extreme weather events. Sometimes it rains heavily in spring, while other times it has been dry for extended periods. It is therefore increasingly difficult to give general advice on watering. However, those who carefully observe their trees in spring can react early to drought and give them a good start to the new growing season.

Here is a more detailed text on the subject Water trees.

And here is more information about casting Summer, Autumn and in the Winter.