Watering trees while on vacation

If you go on vacation and have a cat, you organize someone to look after your cat.

How do you do it with your tree?

Especially if you're going away for an extended period during the summer months, it's worth finding a solution. This is particularly crucial for young trees and for longer absences during the summer.

Why vacations can be a risk for trees

Especially for young trees, a lack of water during the summer months can be a problem. Young trees don't yet have a deep root system. They can't draw water from deeper soil layers and are therefore dependent on the moisture in the upper soil layer. If this layer of soil dries out, the tree quickly falls into trouble. Drought stressEven if you want to harvest a bountiful crop from your fruit tree in autumn, this tree needs plenty of water, especially in summer.

At the same time, evaporation increases significantly in hot weather. The soil loses water more quickly, and the tree releases additional moisture through its leaves. Without a regular supply, this creates an imbalance.

How long can a tree survive without water?

How long a tree can survive without water depends on several factors: age, location, soil, and weather. Young trees are particularly sensitive: during hot summer periods, they can show the first signs of drought stress after just a few days without water. These include drooping leaves, curled leaf edges, or a dull overall appearance.

Older, established trees are significantly more robust. Their deep root systems allow them to partially sustain themselves. Nevertheless, even they can experience problems during prolonged periods of drought, especially in cities or on compacted soils. Here's a rough guide:

• Less than 1 week: usually unproblematic if the soil is well prepared and there is no heat wave. Also suitable for young trees.
• 1–2 weeks: risky for young trees in hot weather
• From 2 weeks onwards: significantly increased risk without additional watering

The decisive factor is always the combination of the duration of absence and weather conditions.

Which solution is right for you?

The appropriate solution depends primarily on how long you are away and how sensitive your tree is.

• If you are only away for a few days, it is usually sufficient to thoroughly and slowly water the tree before departure and to prepare the soil as well as possible.
• What's important for this is a slow, continuous irrigation over several hours. This allows the water to penetrate deep into the soil and reach the roots better. Tree watering bags They utilize exactly this principle: they release the water drop by drop, thus ensuring a consistent supply.
• Absences of one to two weeks become particularly critical in summer. Additional measures are advisable in these cases, such as further watering with tree watering bags in the root area (not at the trunk) or assistance from another person. 
• If you're going away for more than two weeks, you should definitely arrange a reliable solution. The safest option is to have someone water the tree regularly. 
• The hotter and drier the conditions, the more important a continuous supply becomes.

Supporting measure: Prepare the soil 

Even the best irrigation is of little use if the soil cannot retain the water. Therefore, it is worthwhile to prepare the area around the tree specifically before leaving:

• Loose, humus-rich soil can absorb and retain water much better than compacted soil. If the soil is very hard, it can be beneficial to loosen it carefully.
• A mulch layer It is particularly effective. It reduces evaporation, retains moisture in the soil longer, and simultaneously protects soil life. Materials such as bark mulch, leaves, or grass clippings are well-suited for this purpose.

These measures ensure that water remains available in the root zone for longer, and your tree will recover much better during your absence. You can find more information about this in this article. The relationship between water, soil and nutrients for the health of trees.

Typical mistakes when watering plants while on vacation

• Watering too quickly: Large amounts of water often run off the surface at once and do not reach the roots.
• Water only at the base of the trunk: The fine roots lie in the outer area of ​​the tree's root zone. If watering is only done at the base of the trunk, a large part of the tree will remain undisturbed.
• Irrigation area too small: If only a specific area is irrigated, the water will not reach the entire root system.
• Irrigation systems incorrectly placed: If attached directly to the trunk, heat can build up. Furthermore, the root zone is not supplied with water evenly.
• Do not prepare dry soil: Severely dried-out soil absorbs water less effectively, and some of the water doesn't soak in but runs off. Using tree watering bags ensures that the water is released slowly, allowing the soil to absorb it more efficiently.

Back again? What you can do after your arrival

When you get back, take a close look at your tree. Pay attention to drooping leaves, dry soil, or premature leaf drop. If you notice any of these, water the tree slowly and thoroughly over the next few days. 

Pre-holiday checklist

• Water the tree slowly and thoroughly 1-2 days before departure.
• Check the soil and loosen it if necessary.
• Apply a layer of mulch to retain moisture.
• Install an irrigation system if required.
• In case of a longer absence, organize someone to help.

More knowledge about proper tree care

In addition to watering, other factors besides watering play an important role in ensuring your tree remains healthy in the long term:

• How to fertilize trees correctly: When additional nutrients are beneficial and how to avoid mistakes
• Properly cutting trees: How to specifically promote growth, stability, and health
• Lime wash on trees: Protection from frost, strong sunlight and pests

About the author
Andreas Hunkeler is a social and cultural anthropologist specializing in sustainable and participatory green space design in cities.
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