Too much water can kill your tree

(Credit: Umar Nsubuga)

AGRICULTURE

Water is a vital resource for any tree's growth and survival. Farmers in Uganda are appreciating the need to water their trees especially during dry spells.

Fruit trees oranges, mangoes, avocado, etc require even more such attention.

It's one thing watering your tree, but it's a whole different thing giving it too much of the ‘juice of life'. Some farmers don't realize that too much water can be harmful to a tree. The symptoms for water-starved trees can be the same as those caused by water-logged tree roots.

Tony Sebuliba deals in trees and owns a nursery bed at Kawanda. He says symptoms for both under-watering and over-watering are wilted and scorched leaves. Both conditions can prevent roots from transporting water to the top of the tree.

"Too much water can shut down oxygen to the roots. Some tree species can handle ‘wet feet' but many trees cannot," he explains.

How to water

According to Sebuliba, supplemental watering during drought conditions can prevent trees from dying and canopy damage. It also stops pests and prevents non-recoverable roots. Young trees are prone to drought and need regular watering during the dry season.

Depending on the soil texture, presence of other plants competing for the same water, daily temperatures and rainfall amounts of 1-3 inches of water per week should keep a tree healthy.

Trees should be watered once or twice a week in the growing season if there has been no significant rainfall.

Sebuliba says if the leaves are wilting and you have regular watering, you need to check if there is too much water for the tree.

The best way to check for wet soil is to dig about 6-8 inches and fill the soil. The soil should be slightly moist but not soaking wet.

You should be able to press most non-sandy soils into a ball and it stays together. If the ball of soil falls apart, then the soil may not have sufficient moisture.

If the ball of soil crumbles when rubbed, it is an indication of too much water, so watering should be stopped. Sandy and clay soils are not a good tree growing medium in the landscape although many species have adapted to these soils.