can you over water a tree?

CTFandme

we planted a maple tree last fall.  It made it through the winter and has nice green leaves, but the leaves are wilting.  Someone said we might be watering it too much.  anyone think that could be the case?  We have the sprinklers set at 4 minutes in that area.  too much?  not enough?

poppo1

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TootsieK

Four minutes a day?  That doesn't seem like a good watering plan for a young tree.  It should be watered a lot more than that once a week.  Right now the water is probably just getting to the very top layer of the soil and not down to the root zone unless you've been having good rains.  It's possible it's not being watered enough.

goldenjes

Read NB's post below about Saturday watering.

I'd guess that you're not watering long enough.

dirtyred

It sounds like you are way underwatering that tree!  Get out there with a hose and soak it!

CTFandme

I never know how much info to give in a post, but before we moved it to 4 minutes it was set at 10.  We were told we were watering it too much because a neighbor had a tree die and the store they bought it from said they over watered it.  I thought it was odd too.  I guess we will crank up the water for a few weeks and see if the tree turns around! thanks!

~NB~

Yes, you can overwater, in theory; but it's nearly impossible.

It really only happens in floods when plants are completely submerged for several days. Even then, it isn't the water that kills them, it's oxygen starvation. Unless this is the case, you can pretty much throw the overwatering notion out the window. Especially for a maple- they are well suited to wet soils!

However, providing extra water may not improve the condition of the tree if it has deformed roots, which are extremely common in container-grown maples. If the tree is still small, I recommend lifting it and excavating the roots. They may benefit from a thorough pruning, by a well-qualified tree surgeon.

CTFandme

~NB~:

Yes, you can overwater, in theory; but it's nearly impossible.

It really only happens in floods when plants are completely submerged for several days. Even then, it isn't the water that kills them, it's oxygen starvation. Unless this is the case, you can pretty much throw the overwatering notion out the window. Especially for a maple- they are well suited to wet soils!

However, providing extra water may not improve the condition of the tree if it has deformed roots, which are extremely common in container-grown maples. If the tree is still small, I recommend lifting it and excavating the roots. They may benefit from a thorough pruning, by a well-qualified tree surgeon.

Thanks for your insight.  I agree it's probably not being over watered, but I did want to mention that I'm in MI and we have been getting a ton of water.  We got three inches just last week in two days, have only had a few super warm days in the high 80s and we water the lawn every other day.

As for the roots, I'm not going to dig it out only because I know I will then kill it!  I can maintain a garden, but probably can't replant a tree.  I'm just not that good!  The tree is about 8 feet tall and was planted by the nursery in which we bought it. We have a 5 year warranty on it, so if it ends up dying, they'll replace it, but I thought I could avoid that. 

Also, I should note that our trees in the backyard aren't dying and they get the same amount of water.

thanks everyone! Let's all say a little prayer for my tree tonight

~NB~

CTFandme:

~NB~:

Yes, you can overwater, in theory; but it's nearly impossible.

It really only happens in floods when plants are completely submerged for several days. Even then, it isn't the water that kills them, it's oxygen starvation. Unless this is the case, you can pretty much throw the overwatering notion out the window. Especially for a maple- they are well suited to wet soils!

However, providing extra water may not improve the condition of the tree if it has deformed roots, which are extremely common in container-grown maples. If the tree is still small, I recommend lifting it and excavating the roots. They may benefit from a thorough pruning, by a well-qualified tree surgeon.

Thanks for your insight.  I agree it's probably not being over watered, but I did want to mention that I'm in MI and we have been getting a ton of water.  We got three inches just last week in two days, have only had a few super warm days in the high 80s and we water the lawn every other day.

As for the roots, I'm not going to dig it out only because I know I will then kill it!  I can maintain a garden, but probably can't replant a tree.  I'm just not that good!  The tree is about 8 feet tall and was planted by the nursery in which we bought it. We have a 5 year warranty on it, so if it ends up dying, they'll replace it, but I thought I could avoid that. 

Also, I should note that our trees in the backyard aren't dying and they get the same amount of water.

If they were all planted at the same time, I'd say it is probably root deformities causing the problems in the sick tree, but still can't rule out that they just need more water. If the other trees are established, it's apples to oranges... you can't really use them as a reference.

onceuponadisaster

My father's landscaper (who gets most of his trees and shrubs from west michigan) suggests watering all young trees and bushes for 20-30 minutes a day with a soaker hose 3x a week.