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Your Trees Need Water!

According to the US Drought Monitor, this part of Ohio is again well within an abnormally dry zone , and the prospect for significant rain in the next two weeks is poor.  While there are many weather effects on trees we can't do much about (extreme heat, water-logged years, ice storms, hurricanes, etc.), water shortage is one which can be addressed.  

All trees can benefit from irrigation during times of drought, but if you must prioritize, start with the young and the ancient, then attend to your vigorous middle-aged trees.  Further, prioritize water to trees close to pavement or in blazing sun where higher soil temperatures exacerbate the drought.   Those benefiting from shade or shelter are at somewhat less risk.

When you're done with the trees in your landscape, if you could take the time to water your street trees, it'll pay you back.  Shade over pavement decreases local heat loads while markedly suppressing hydrocarbons released from vehicles parked there versus in the sun.  Further, these trees add considerably to your property value.

At this time of year, we're not trying to restore spring-green foliage, but rather to support root function -- both the storage of leaf-made carbohydrates for use by the tree next year, and for the unseen annual proliferation of fine (versus woody) roots which provide the vast surface area needed by trees for uptake of soil nutrients.

How much?
If your time is limited, make sure to water the "drip zone" of the tree once a week, so that soil area gets damp to a depth of 6 - 8" -- this is equivalent to about 1" of precipitation.    The drip zone is that area under the tree canopy (leafy part) which remains dry during a light rain.  If you have the time and resources, then irrigate to this same depth over an area 1.5 - 2 times the drip zone. 

Remember, it is far better to water the drip zone deeply, at 7 - 10 day intervals, than to provide frequent, shallow irrigation to a larger area.