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 Tree Watering FAQ

Questions:
  How much water does a new tree need?
  How often should I water a new tree?
  What is the benefit of deep-root watering?
  Will my sprinkler system take care of my trees?
  When is a tree considered established?
  How much mulch should I use on my new tree?
  How long will it take for the Tree I.V. Reservoir to empty?
  Will Tree I.V. work in my heavy clay soil?
  What if I have rocky soil?
  Is the Tree I.V. better than a hose-fed root feeder?
  What are the advantages Tree I.V. has over a soaker hose?
  What advantages does Tree I.V. have over drip irrigation?
  Can I hook my garden hose directly to the injector?
  Is Tree I.V. just for trees?
  Will Tree I.V. work for mature trees?
  Is the Reservoir just a regular bucket?
  Can I use my own bucket?
  Where is Tree I.V. made?
  Who uses Tree I.V.?
  Can I get Tree I.V. locally?
 
 
Answers:
How much water does a new tree need?
  This is a good question that is asked frequently. Truth is, there are a lot of right answers because "how much" can depend on "how often" and "how big" the tree is. Most experts agree that new tree watering should occur 4 to 5 times per month, simulating frequent, natural rainfall. Five gallons of water will saturate about five cubic foot of the average soil type, which is about the size of the tree well of most newly planted trees. Five gallons once per week is adequate, but 10 will not hurt if water conservation is not a factor.
 
How often should I water a new tree?
  Unless adequate rainfall occurs, new trees should be watered from early Spring until the leaves drop off in the Fall. During normal dry times, once a week is adequate. If the afternoon temperatures are extreme, try twice a week. Be careful not to over-water, tree roots need some breathing time. Using the right tools, tree watering can be an easy, enjoyable chore.
 
What is the benefit of deep-root watering?
  Deep root watering stops wasteful run-off and concentrates on the area that matters most. Surface watering often leaves you wondering when you should stop, usually resulting in more time and water than is actually necessary. Soaker hose and slow drip watering methods may soak the surface only, promoting root growth near the surface. Deep root development is essential for strength and drought hardiness when the tree establishes itself and the watering stops.
 
Will my sprinkler system take care of my trees?
  Sprinkler systems are for watering your grass. No deep watering occurs. In most cases, relying on your sprinkler system will result in inadequate surface watering as only the top few inches will be soaked.
 
When is a tree considered established?
  Generally speaking, a tree should be well-established in 3 - 5 years, depending on the deep root development. This means that the tree can survive dry times without help. If you want the tree to continue growing at its maximum you should continue to water and fertilize it. As the tree grows, so does the size of the root system. You can get a general idea of the size of the root system by looking at the size of the above-ground spread. Remember that 5 gallons of water saturates about 5 cubic feet of soil. This should give you an idea of how much water is needed.
 
How much mulch should I use on my new tree?
  Mulch should be 3 to 4 inches deep. This is enough to buffer the soil from direct sunlight while controlling the grass and allowing the roots to breathe. Heavy mulching can hold enough moisture that roots will actually grow into the mulch. If this happens, you will likely have exposed roots when the tree matures. Also note that the base of the tree (trunk flare) needs to be clear. A tree trunk will rot if it cannot dry out. Heavy mulching can actually kill a tree.
 
How long will it take for the Tree I.V. Reservoir to empty?
  Percolation rate is determined by soil type and conditions. Sandy soils can be as fast as a few minutes, normal loamy soil about 10 minutes, and heavy clay soils could potentially take hours. Very dry, hard-packed soil is like a dry sponge, resisting water initially, but once it becomes moist it will take water nicely. Try to avoid letting the soil dry harden.
 
Will Tree I.V. work in my heavy clay soil?
  Clay soil is tricky. It absorbs water slowly, and it also dries out slowly. Tree I.V. will work at the absorbtion rate of the soil. If it is too slow, perhaps it is not as dry as you might think. Remember, though, that one of the great benefits of Tree I.V. is no run-off. It will sit and wait as long as it takes.
 
What if I have rocky soil?
  Tree I.V. was designed for newly planted trees. The injector is located in the area that was dug up for planting. We can only assume that any rocks that were removed were not put back in the hole. The durability of the Injector allows for hitting rocks without breaking, but it will not penetrate rock.
 
Is the Tree I.V. better than a hose-fed root feeder?
  A Tree I.V. system has some important advantages because of its self-contained and gravity-flow design:
1) Hose-free makes it easy to water all of your trees at once.
2) You know the amount of water applied to each tree.
3) No timing is required.
4) Gravity feed will not form air pockets in the tree well.
5) Adding water soluable nutrients is easy.

 
What are the advantages Tree I.V. has over a soaker hose?
  A Tree I.V. system has some important advantages because of its self-contained and gravity-flow design:
1) Ensures deep-root watering for deeper root development.
2) Hose-free makes it easy to water all of your trees at once.
3) You know the amount of water applied to each tree.
4) No timing is required.
5) Adding water soluable nutrients is easy.

 
What advantages does Tree I.V. have over drip irrigation?
  A Tree I.V. system has some important advantages because of its self-contained and gravity-flow design:
1) Ensures deep-root watering for deeper root development.
2) Hose-free makes it easy to water all of your trees at once.
3) Adding water soluable nutrients is easy.
4) Empties quickly for immediate removal.

 
Can I hook my garden hose directly to the injector?
  The Tree I.V. was designed to be self-contained and hose-free so it is possible to water all of your trees at once. Why wait if you don't need to?
 
Is Tree I.V. just for trees?
  Tree I.V. was designed for newly planted trees, but it will also work for young bushes and shrubs and even tomato plants.
 
Will Tree I.V. work for mature trees?
  Mature trees will have a widespread root system that makes using the Tree I.V. impractical for watering only. However, it can be used to inject nutrients if desired.
 
Is the Reservoir just a regular bucket?
  The reservoir is a 5-gallon bucket with a modified slip joint to mate with the injector. There is nothing more practical or cost effective than a lightweight, stackable 5-gallon bucket.
 
Can I use my own bucket?
  Yes, but the integrity of the fit with the injector is essential to the efficiency of the system. Sayegrow cannot be responsible for product satisfaction if it is not our product.
 
Where is Tree I.V. made?
  All components are manufactured in the U.S.
 
Who uses Tree I.V.?
  Homeowners, service organizations, groundskeepers, etc. We have customers are in all 50 states and worldwide.
 
Can I get Tree I.V. locally?
  SayeGrow is the only supplier of Tree I.V. We ship UPS, usually within three business days.
 

Self-Contained Root Feeder

SayeGrow LLC

20079 Ford Road, Cherryvale, KS, 67335, US

Phone: (620) 328-3473     Email: support@sayegrow.com

Copyright 2006 SayeGrow LLC. All rights reserved.