Most established, indigenous trees do not require watering unless we are in a severe drought. In fact, even most landscape planted ornamental trees that are established and have been planted for 2 1/2 to 3 years, should not be watered regularly, unless we are in a severe drought or the trees were not sited correctly.
In summer, it’s easy to get carried away and water your trees too much. Trees need water to survive, but, like us, they have a limit. When a tree is overwatered, the roots can suffocate, and it cannot take in much-needed oxygen. When this happens, the leaves begin to yellow, and the tree dies. When trees are healthy, you will see new stems and leaves sprouting. This can be one of the main warning signs. Determining what an overwatered tree looks like may be challenging as it depends on the species and the soil structure.
How to tell if your trees have been overwatered
When a tree has been watered regularly, it is normal for the soil to be a bit damp, considering the drainage. However, it should not be waterlogged. Overly wet soil is a sign of overwatering plants, so you do not need to water it for some time. If the soil is the type to hold large quantities of water, it may also mean better irrigation practices are needed. The topsoil may be dry on the surface, but the material beneath could be oversaturated. In these cases, dig slightly below the soil surrounding the tree to check the dampness. The other option is to buy a water gauge and stick it in the soil at the base of the tree.
Another sign of an overwatered tree is yellowing and loss of firmness in the leaves. The leaves become water-soaked and floppy. In some cases, mold on the branches is a sign of overwatering a tree. The soil tends to have a sewer smell and be spongy, with water running when it is scooped up. Excess water also leads to lesions on the leaves or the trees. The leaves may look like they have been burned or have blister-like marks. The marks can start in one place before spreading to other areas on the tree.
Read More : Facts About Trees
How to save a waterlogged tree
Scooping the water out of the soil may be far-fetched, but there are ways to save a tree from too much water. Once you can tell you have overwatered a plant or tree, the first and most obvious solution is to reduce the amount of water the tree is acquiring. If the irrigation system is a sprinkler, consider turning it off for a few days so the roots can dry. Once the amount of water getting to the tree has been reduced, begin by giving it deep watering but with less frequency. It stimulates the roots to grow deep and prevents future occurrences of water logging. Alternatively, you can relocate the tree. If the tree species does not usually tolerate poor drainage conditions, you may want to move it to a more ideal location with better drainage.
Contact Us for Tree Assistance
It may be tricky to decipher overwatering tree symptoms. If you have any questions about overwatering or need assistance with recovery from overwatering, contact Acorn Tree Care, your local tree services in Dawsonville, GA.