Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Sunday - September 04, 2011
From: New Braunfels, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Watering, Trees
Title: Watering practices for live oaks in drought from New Braunfels TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
We have conflicting info about watering live oaks. An arborist says to water now using soaker hoses or small sprinklers and a landscaper who spoke to our garden club said that after August is too late to water trees even during a drought. Could you help us with this. Thank you.ANSWER:
We do not want to get in a difference of opinion with any of the people you have been hearing from on taking care of the live oaks during our heat and drought. All we can do is tell you what we think, based on the practices at the Wildflower Center and on our own observations.
First, we can't say that it is ever too late to water the roots of any tree during the kind of weather conditions we have been having for months. Whether or not the weather improves, the re-emergence, indeed the life, of those live oaks in the Spring depends on the roots continuing to have the moisture they need. The root are the conduits for water and nutrients, which go to the leaves, the manufacturing facilities of the tree. You probably already have leaves dropping from your live oaks, trees which ordinarily drop most of their leaves in March, quickly followed by new leaves. The leaves dropping now will not be replaced until Spring, but if the tree has no water in the roots to conduct the nutrients up through the vascular system, there will be no new leaves. That's a condition called DEAD.
As for the method of getting water to those roots, this depends, in our minds, on the age and size of the trees in question. A young new tree should still be getting the hose stuck down in the loose dirt around the trunk, and have a slow dribble of water until water appears on the surface, at least twice a week. This is effective at that point in the tree's development because that's where the roots are, still close to the trunk of the little tree. However, as the tree matures those roots are going out farther in their quest for water and nutrients. A pretty standard measurement is that a mature oak tree will have roots at least two to three times the circumference or height of the tree. In other words, far beyond the "shade line" or dripline of the tree. A live oak is a much too valuable tree to waste the resources (money, time, water, etc.) that have already gone into it. We suggest a sprinkler moved from place to place around the root area. We would avoid depending on an automated sprinkler system; for one thing, spraying water on the trunk of a tree can lead to fungus infections or rot.
From the Image Gallery
More Watering Questions
It's so hot, even the Salvia greggii are sad, in Bulverde Texas
July 28, 2011 - I have several Salvia greggii in large terra cotta pots. The leaves have developed a yellowish tint and are thinning. What is the best process to get them back to full green foilage?
view the full question and answer
Erosion at edge of driveway in Abilene TX
August 26, 2011 - My lawn suffered a great loss of grass over the winter and the soil at the edge of the driveway is washing away with watering and the occasional rains that we have. I am trying to get the grass to gr...
view the full question and answer
New growth on live oaks in Houston
September 27, 2011 - My 2 10yr. old live oaks are putting out new growth (branches?) although, here in Houston, TX we are having such a drought.
For the last 3 months, I have conscientiously watered my entire yard via ...
view the full question and answer
Cedar elm with brown leaves
August 12, 2011 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, We feel we may have limited time to save our beautiful Ceder Elm. We have many trees in our yard (Post Oaks and Cedar Elms) and have been told they are all between 50 - 75 year...
view the full question and answer
Water eroding corner in Austin
October 25, 2011 - I live close to the Wildflower Center. My yard slopes - as do my neighbors' yards to one corner in my yard. The result is constant moisture in one corner. The rest of the yard is caliche, rocks (m...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |