Watering trees in autumn

Table of Contents
Water trees in autumn
Autumn: The best time to plant
Watering trees correctly in autumn
Watering in frost
The correct casting method
Recognizing drought stress
Mulch instead of fertilizing
Every year is different

For a tree, water is one of the most valuable things we can give. With enough water, trees can handle almost anything: they can photosynthesize, thrive, defend themselves against diseases and pests, and repair themselves. If there is one thing we should do really well with trees that have already been planted, it is watering. There are different challenges for every season. Here you will find the most important knowledge about treesßen in autumn.

Trees in autumn: closing the year and preparing for winter

The growing season is drawing to a close. In autumn, fruits and nuts are harvested. And at the same time, it's getting colder. Deciduous trees are losing their leaves and preparing for winter dormancy. But even then, they still need sufficient water. For example, in autumn, trees produce secondary plant compounds to defend themselves against pathogens and pests.

Tip for autumn: At the end of the growing season, you can water your trees thoroughly again in late autumn, when the deciduous trees have shed their leavesKISSING. This should be done before the ground freezes.

How do I water trees correctly in autumn?

From September onwards, a tree will mainly need additional water if it has been very dry in the previous months. Especially if you want to harvest fruit and nuts from your tree, it may be worthwhile to occasionally support the tree with water until this point.
If you are unsure whether your tree has enough water, you can also check the moisture in the soil. To do this, you can dig a small hole of 10 to 15 centimeters in the root area of ​​the tree. If the soil there is dry, the tree should be watered. Note that overwatering can also occur, especially in the fall. If the tree has too much water, it reacts in a similar way to drought stress.

All young trees planted within the last five years generally require additional watering during dry periods, even in autumn. Their root systems are not yet developed enough to reach deeper soil layers. Young and newly planted trees are therefore much more susceptible to drought damage. Ensure they receive sufficient water in autumn as well. If the dry weather persists, you can water them with 150 to 200 liters of water once or twice a week. 

Except for frost

If there is already snow or frost in autumn, wait until the snow has melted or the temperatures have risen above 5 degrees before watering.

Which casting method is best?

As with all seasons, there are two important rules Watering trees:

1. Better less ofteneat, but with a lot of water. A water quantity of 150 - 200 liters per watering cycle is recommended.
2. The water should seep into the earth as slowly as possible so that it can actually be absorbed by the soil. 

A very effective tool that takes both important points into account are tree watering bags, which slowly release water using drip irrigation. They can be installed without much effort and can be filled with a garden hose in just a few minutes. They then release the water drop by drop into the ground over a period of six to nine hours. This means there is no runoff or rapid seepage through the root zone and the root system has enough time to absorb all the water efficiently.

If you use tree watering bags, it is important not to leave them on the tree for long periods of time in the fall. Because of the dew and moisture, algae can build up.
If it falls below 5 degrees Celsius at night, you should remove the bags overnight.

Watch for signs of drought stress

Here you can find a text on the topic drought stress in treesHowever, it is difficult to recognize drought stress in trees during autumn. The trees are at the end of their growing season, and most trees change color and then shed their leaves.

Additional support: Fertilizing  

In autumn, you should avoid using fertilizers high in nitrogen, as these can stimulate growth. Mulching the soil around the tree is much more helpful. Mulch helps retain moisture over the winter months and also protects against the cold. You can find more information on this topic in this article. Fertilize trees in autumn.

Autumn: The season for planting new trees

Autumn is the best time of year for new plantings for most tree species. Do you still have room for a tree in your garden? 

Different every year

We are currently experiencing a high number of extreme weather events. Sometimes it rains heavily in autumn, sometimes it is hot and dry for extended periods. It is therefore becoming increasingly difficult to offer general solutions.

Keep in mind that too much water in autumn can also be problematic. Pay attention to your tree's specific needs and adjust your watering schedule accordingly. If in doubt, consult local arborists or tree experts who are familiar with your region and your specific tree species.

And do trees need additional watering in winter?

You can find all the important information in the article Watering trees in winter

And here is more information about casting Summer and in the Spring, as well as a detailed text on the topic Water trees.