Having a self watering system for trees can be extremely beneficial for keeping your trees healthy and reducing the amount of manual watering you need to do. A self watering system works by slowly releasing water over time directly to the roots of the tree. This provides a constant source of moisture that prevents the roots from drying out. Self watering systems are easy to make yourself with basic materials and can be customized to fit your specific needs. In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to make your own self watering system for trees.
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Benefits of a Self Watering System
There are several key benefits that a self watering system provides for trees:
- Reduces watering frequency – Once set up, a self watering system will provide water to the tree roots automatically without you needing to manually water as often.
- Prevents under and overwatering – The slow, constant release of water prevents drying out and also avoids overwatering which can damage roots.
- Saves time – You’ll save the time spent frequently checking soil moisture and hauling around a hose or watering can.
- Promotes root growth – The constant moisture encourages roots to grow wider and deeper to access more water.
- Reduces transplant shock – Newly transplanted trees establish quicker with a self watering system.
- Works during vacations – Go away without having to arrange tree watering help.
For most trees, a self watering system is a simple way to provide ideal growing conditions. It’s particularly useful for new trees that need more frequent watering as well as minimizing watering during hot, dry periods.
Choosing a Water Source
The first step in creating a self watering system is choosing the source of water. This will be the reservoir that slowly releases water into the soil. There are several good options:
5 Gallon Bucket
A 5 gallon plastic bucket is one of the most common DIY reservoirs. Buckets are inexpensive, readily available and easy to find in sizes from 2 to 20 gallons. Fill the bucket with water and submerge a fabric wick or length of tubing into the water that leads to the base of the tree. The bucket can be refilled as needed. Make sure to use a food-safe bucket, not one that held chemicals or other toxic materials.
Garden Hose
Connecting a garden hose or drip irrigation line to a timer provides a simple self watering source. The timer turns the water on and off at set intervals to provide water to the tree roots. Include a filter and pressure regulator for best results. Make sure the timer is adjusted seasonally as the tree’s needs change.
Natural Sources
For trees near a natural water source like a stream, pond or rain barrel, you can extend a tube or wick directly from the source to the tree roots. Check local regulations for drawing water from natural sources for irrigation. Make sure the end of the tubing has a screen to keep out debris.
Choose a water source that provides enough capacity for the needs of your tree. Bigger trees will require more water volume. Pick a source that can be refilled or topped up as needed.
Choosing a Distribution System
Once you have your water source picked out, you need a distribution system to deliver the water from the reservoir to the tree roots. There are several different options that work well:
Porous Soaker Hose
Soaker hoses are great for distributing water evenly along the entire length of the hose. Made from recycled tires, the porous hose walls seep water into the soil. Arrange the hose in a circle around the base of the tree near the outer edge of the root system.
Drippers
Flexible drip irrigation tubing with integrated drippers releases water slowly at each dripper location. Use one line on either side of the tree with drippers placed every 12 inches. Run the lines just inside the outer canopy edge of the tree.
Wicking System
A fabric wick submerged in the water source will transfer water to the soil via capillary action. Use cotton clothesline, burlap or landscape fabric. Extend from the reservoir to the root zone. Use multiple wicks for larger trees.
Ollas
Ollas are unglazed, porous clay vessels with a narrow neck that are buried in the ground. Fill with water and it slowly seeps into the surrounding soil. Place ollas around the tree within the root zone. Refill as needed through the neck.
Choose a distribution method that offers the easiest setup for your landscape design and provides sufficient water coverage for the tree size.
Setting Up the System
Once you’ve selected the water source and distribution system, it’s time to bring the self watering system together. Follow these steps:
- Dig a small trench from the water reservoir to the tree roots.
- Place the soaker hose, drip line tubing or wicking system into the shallow trench.
- Backfill the trench, covering the distribution system 2-3 inches below grade.
- Spread 2-3 inches of mulch from the tree trunk to the drip line.
- Connect the distribution end to the water source, such as submerging in a bucket.
- Open valves or start water flow to test the system.
- Make any needed adjustments to distribution or flow rate.
- Refill reservoir as needed based on tree size and weather conditions.
The system should now be setup to provide slow, consistent moisture to the root zone of your tree. Observe over the first few weeks and adjust components as needed to achieve the desired results.
Self Watering System Maintenance
Even the most simple passive self watering system needs occasional maintenance and monitoring:
– Check water levels and refill reservoir regularly.
– Inspect distribution system for clogged emitters or wicks. Flush drip lines if needed.
– Adjust water flow for seasonal needs and tree growth.
– Consider adding a filter system if debris is getting into the lines.
– Monitor soil moisture with a probe before refilling to confirm system is working.
– Reapply mulch around tree when erosion is visible to hold in moisture.
With routine maintenance, a DIY self watering system should be able to sustainably water your trees.
Advantages of Different Self Watering Methods
There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of self watering system:
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Soaker Hose |
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| Drip Irrigation |
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| Wicking System |
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| Ollas |
|
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Assess your specific conditions and needs to determine which self watering system is best suited for your trees. Combining multiple methods can also help overcome the downsides of any single technique.
Ideal Self Watering Setup by Tree Type
The most effective self watering system may vary based on the type and size of tree being watered. Here are some recommendations:
Small Trees
A simple 5 gallon bucket reservoir with a fabric wick works well for saplings and young trees. Use 2-3 wicks spaced around the tree and monitor water levels to keep the wicks fully submerged.
Fruit Trees
For mature fruit trees, a soaker hose coiled around the drip line provides the best coverage. Connect it to a timer attached to an outdoor faucet for automated watering.
Evergreens
Cover the shallow roots of evergreens with a winding soaker hose throughout the root zone on a timer. Monitor soil moisture to adjust frequency.
Large Trees
Use a combination of soaker hose and drip irrigation for wide spreading mature trees. Connect multiple 20 gallon reservoirs with wicks to provide sufficient water volume.
Multiple Trees
Run distribution tubing to multiple trees from a single large reservoir or water source for efficient watering. Use a filtration system and pressure regulator.
Potted Trees
For potted plants, use ollas buried in the soil media to create a sub-irrigation system. Top-water to supplement when needed.
Choose components scaled to tree size for the most effective self watering setup. Observe ongoing performance and make adjustments to ensure optimal growing conditions.
Conclusion
Creating a DIY self watering system for trees provides automated, consistent irrigation to keep trees healthy with minimal effort. Choose an appropriate water source, distribution method, and scale for the tree size and landscape. Setup is straightforward using basic materials like buckets, hoses, wicks and timers. With routine maintenance to keep components working properly, a self watering system takes the hassle out of watering trees while still meeting the tree’s exact water needs. The benefits of well-established trees are worth the small effort to setup an automatic watering system.