Tricks or tips on watering new trees in an area with no water nearby?

Question

I've heard of putting barrels of water with a hole in the bottom near the trees. Only problem may be evaporation. We can't go to the land every day or even every other day.

Answer 1

you could also tie a couple of gallon milk jugs near the tree (cleaned out, of course) and poke some really tiny holes (use a needle) in the bottom. it will slowly leak out. you want to put the cap on and find the release rate by adjusting the tightness of the cap.

another great method is to add these watersaver crystals (i don't remember the techincal name) they're small granular looking bits that act as sponges i.e. get them wet and they will expand to a much larger size. they release the water slowly back into the soil. much less invasive then barrels or jugs. depends on the tree for actual use.

adding humus or other soil conditioners plus 2-3" of mulch helps retain moisture.

the last method is to buy water bags - they connect around the tree and work pretty much like the milk jugs or barrels but they're made specifically for use around the tree and are not that expensive, i don't think.

Answer 2

A lid on the barrel will stop the barrel from losing water and a skirt of polyethelene over the soil at the base of the tree will keep the water from being "wicked off" by air movement. Careful you don't create a mold farm at the base of the tree. Remove the poly and disturb the soil when you can vist you r tree(s). A second method would be to make a hole through which you could insert a small tube the end of which you could bury near the root ball with a piece of rag to stem the flow of water so it will last the several days you are away.

Answer 3

Set up a drip irrigation system and attach it to the largest tank or barrel that you have (one with a covered top). Build up a small circular dirt dam around each tree's root zone. Mulch around each tree. when you come to the land turn on the water until each tree is watered properly, then turn it off. You'll have to figure out some way to haul in water to fill your take from time to time

Answer 4

You could try submerge that barrel (with a space to refill it from the top somewhere again)and make it leak a bit and you could increase the amount of water-retaining stuff in the soil (newspaper, vermiculite, styrofoam, although that's not so ecology-friendly, wood etc)

Answer 5

It won't evaporate if there is a llid. A lid will also keep moose and deer from drinking it all up!