How to properly water trees throughout the year: The ultimate guide for spring, summer, autumn and winter

Trees accompany us throughout the year: their blossoms herald the arrival of spring, they provide shade in summer, their leaves change color in autumn, and they enter a dormant phase in winter. What many forget is that trees need water during all these phases. Only their specific needs change.

In the past, natural rainfall was often sufficient. However, climate change is increasingly disrupting these natural cycles. Long periods of drought, hot summers, mild winters, and sealed soils are taking their toll on many trees, even old and deep-rooted ones. Therefore, understanding how the water requirements of trees change throughout the seasons is becoming ever more important.

This article will show you what to consider when watering trees in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and how you can support your tree throughout the year. You can find basic information about watering trees here. in this article.

Key facts at a glance

• Trees need water all year round.
• Water requirements change depending on the season.
• Spring drought is often underestimated.
  
• Slow and deep watering is particularly important in summer.
  
• Autumn watering helps trees get through the winter.
• Even in winter, drought stress can occur.
  
• Healthy soils retain water better and relieve the pressure on the tree.

Why rain is often no longer enough

Many soils are drying out much more today than they did a few decades ago. Rainfall is often irregular: long dry spells alternate with heavy downpours. But heavy rain often does little to help trees. The water runs off the surface instead of slowly seeping into the ground.

The situation is particularly difficult in cities: Sealed surfaces, compacted soils, and heated surfaces mean that water is hardly retained. At the same time, evaporation increases. This puts stress on trees, and not just in the height of summer. You can find out more about whether the rain is sufficient for the trees in [link to article]. this article.

Watering trees in spring

Spring marks the beginning of the most important growth phase of the year for trees. Buds open, new leaves emerge, and the tree activates its water and nutrient supply. This growth requires a lot of energy and water.

Dry springs are often underestimated. Although it does rain from time to time in spring, this doesn't automatically mean that enough water reaches the soil. Surface rainfall, in particular, is often insufficient to penetrate deeper root layers.

Young trees are particularly sensitive to spring drought. Their roots don't yet reach deep enough into the soil, and they are heavily reliant on moisture in the upper soil layers. Here's what you should pay attention to in spring:

• Check soil moisture regularly.
• Water young trees early
  
• Renew mulch layers
• Avoid compacted soils
• Water slowly and thoroughly.

Spring often determines how vigorously a tree starts the season. This article will tell you more about this. Watering trees in spring.

Water trees in summer

In summer, many trees reach their limits. High temperatures, dry soil, and prolonged heat waves cause trees to transpire significantly more water. Urban trees are particularly affected. Asphalt, paved surfaces, and heated environments further exacerbate the stress. If a tree cannot absorb enough water, it experiences drought stress. Typical signs of this include:

• limp or curled leaves
• premature leaf drop
• small or dry leaves
  
• dead branches in the crown
• Cracks in the bark

When should you water in summer? Ideally, early in the morning or in the evening. At midday, a large portion of the water evaporates from the surface before it even reaches the soil. This article will tell you more about... Watering trees in summer.

Watering trees in autumn

Many people think that trees no longer need water after their leaves have fallen. But this is a common misconception. Trees still need water in autumn. At the same time, they are slowly preparing for winter and building up water reserves. Furthermore, many fine roots continue to grow well into autumn. If the soil dries out significantly in autumn, the tree will start the winter weakened. Autumn watering is particularly important for:

• young trees
• evergreen shrubs
  
• dry autumn periods
• sandy soils

Helpful in autumn:

• Continue watering during dry periods
• Leave the leaves as natural mulch
  
• Continue to observe young trees

In this article you will learn more about the Watering trees in autumn.

Watering trees in winter

Many people believe that trees don't need any water at all in winter. In fact, trees can dry out in winter. Evergreen trees such as conifers or cherry laurel are particularly affected. This problem is called frost desiccation.

Water evaporates from the needles or leaves, while at the same time frozen ground prevents the roots from absorbing new water. Sunny winter days can therefore be particularly problematic.

When should you water your plants in winter?

Only on frost-free days and only when the ground isn't frozen. Young trees and evergreens especially benefit from extra water during extended dry periods. You can learn more about this in this article. Watering trees in winter.

How much water does a tree need?

How much water a tree actually needs depends on many factors:

• Tree species
• Age
• Soil (loamy/sandy?)
• Location (sealed/compacted?)
• Temperature
• Precipitation

As a rough guideline:

• Spring: Young trees require approximately 50–75 liters per watering.
• Summer: Young trees need about 75–100 liters. Large trees need significantly more.
• Autumn: Continue watering as needed during dry periods.
• Winter: Only in dry conditions and on frost-free ground

More important than the exact amount of water, however, is the method of watering. Slow and deep watering helps the tree significantly more than frequent small amounts.

Why superficial watering is of little use

Many people water their plants frequently, but only with small amounts. As a result, the water often remains in the top few centimeters of soil and evaporates quickly. For trees, slow and deep watering is therefore much more effective. It's important that the water can slowly seep into the soil and reach the fine roots.

Particularly helpful are irrigation bagsThey release the water slowly over several hours. This allows significantly more water to penetrate into deeper soil layers instead of running off the surface or evaporating.

This can make a big difference, especially during longer periods of drought.

Healthy soils help retain water.

Water alone is often not enough. The soil's ability to retain water is also crucial. Healthy soil:

• retains moisture for longer
• stay relaxed
• promotes fine roots
• supports soil life

Here are the most important ways to improve the soil:

• A layer of mulch helps reduce evaporation and protect the soil from intense heat. It also enhances soil life.
• Compost, worm compost, and organic fertilizers can also help to improve soil structure in the long term.

In this article you will learn more about the The relationship between water, soil and nutrients and what you can do for your trees.

Collect rainwater and use it for trees

Rainwater is a valuable resource for tree irrigation. It is available free of charge, usually contains less lime than tap water, and is part of the natural water cycle. Especially during dry summers, collected rainwater can help supply trees even when there is no rainfall for extended periods.

Even a simple rain barrel can store surprising amounts of water. Cisterns or other rainwater storage systems offer even larger reserves. The collected water can then be used specifically for watering trees.

You can find more information in the article. Using rainwater for trees: Why every drop counts.