Newly planted trees have not established the extensive root system needed to absorb enough water during hot, dry, windy summers. Even trees two or three years old should receive special care. Deep, infrequent watering and mulching can help trees become established. Newly transplanted trees need at least 10 gallons of water per week, and on sandy soils they will need that much applied twice a week. The secret is getting that water to soak deeply into the soil, so it evaporates more slowly an...

This post comes from Jason Griffin, nursery crop specialist and director of the John C. Pair Facility in Wichita, Kan. This summer’s intense weather is undoubtedly affecting our trees this fall. Many un-irrigated trees gave up their leaves a while ago. Under conditions of exceptional heat and drought, early leaf abscission is a common survival mechanism for many deciduous trees, so don’t be too alarmed. However, your irrigated trees did not escape the summer unscathed either.  Water, or...