Tree Watering During Drought

Why does drought hurt trees?

Trees draw water from the soil and lose it through their leaves. In a dry spell the soil runs low, and the tree may drop leaves early, wilt, stop growing or lose branches. Stress also leaves trees open to insects and disease.

Damage often appears later. A tree that looks fine in autumn may fail to leaf out well the next spring. Because of this lag, watch for problems during the next season, not just the dry one.

Which trees should I water first?

You cannot water everything, so set priorities. New plantings have small root systems and are the most vulnerable. Young trees, valuable shade trees near the house, trees that were damaged by construction and trees on shallow or sandy soil come next.

Large, established trees in a woodlot rarely get irrigation, and you usually cannot help them in any practical way. For those, focus on avoiding extra stress such as soil disturbance and heavy cutting.

Do not be discouraged if the first office you call says a program is full or closed. Ask when applications open again and whether another office or program might fit. Staff members usually know the options.

• Newly planted trees first.
• Young trees in their first few seasons.
• Valuable trees near buildings.
• Trees on shallow, sandy or compacted soil.

How should I water?

The general idea is slow, deep watering that soaks into the root zone, rather than frequent light sprinkling that wets only the surface. Water placed under the canopy, out toward the drip line, reaches the roots better than water at the trunk.

How much and how often depends on tree size, soil type, temperature and rain. I will not give a quantity, since the right amount varies. Your Extension office or a certified arborist can advise, and you can check soil moisture by digging a small hole and feeling the soil a few inches down.

Soaker hoses, drip lines and slow trickles from a hose can all work, as long as the water goes in slowly enough to soak down rather than run off. Slopes and hard clay soils need extra patience, since water may run away before it soaks in.

What about mulch and shade?

A layer of mulch over the root zone slows evaporation and keeps soil cooler, which can reduce the water a tree needs. Keep it off the trunk. Reducing competition from grass and weeds under young trees also helps.

Avoid pruning heavily during drought, and avoid fertilizing, which can push growth the tree cannot support. Leave decisions about removing stressed trees until you know what survived.

Avoid wounding trees during drought. Injured bark gives insects an entry point, and stressed trees seal wounds more slowly. Hold off on non-urgent cutting and mowing close to trunks.

Are there water restrictions I need to follow?

During drought, many towns, water districts and states restrict outdoor watering. Rules can apply to hours, days and methods, and some allow exemptions for new trees. Check with your water supplier, your county or your state before you water.

If you use a well, think about your household supply first. A heavy draw on a low well can hurt your own water. A well driller or your county health department can tell you about limits for your system. Drought.gov and the National Weather Service publish drought conditions and outlooks.

If the weather is dry for many weeks, new trees may need help even after a season or two. Stay alert, since older guidance about how long to keep watering a young tree may not fit an unusual year.

How do I decide whether a tree is dead?

It can be hard to tell. Bare branches in summer may mean dead wood or just a tree that has gone dormant early. A simple scratch test on a twig, which shows green under the bark on living wood, can help, but do not scratch the trunk of a tree you are trying to save.

Wait until the next growing season before cutting a tree that might recover, unless it is a hazard. If it stands near a building, road or path, ask a certified arborist to assess it.

What about trees in woodlots and fencerows?

Few owners can water a woodlot, and in a dry year the woods look after themselves as best they can. Your options are indirect. Avoid logging, road work or grazing on stressed ground, since added stress now can mean added losses later.

After the drought, a forester can help you judge whether the stand needs thinning, replanting or salvage. Watch for insects and disease that follow drought, and report unusual die-offs to your state forestry agency. The USDA Forest Service and state agencies often track these events after dry years.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.