Watering Trees in Arizona
When planting new trees in Arizona it’s important to know how to care for your tree after it’s in the ground. A large piece of tree care is knowing how often you should water your specific tree. More in depth details are provided below.
Approximate Quantity of Water You Should Apply
If you want your Arizona trees to thrive, it’s important to adjust the quantity and frequency of your watering schedule to accommodate each season.
Fall, Winter & Spring
- Size 3-5 gallon shrubs need 3-4 gallons of water each time they receive water.
- Size Super Trees need 6-10 gallons of water each time they receive water.
- Size Huge Instant Trees need 12-16 gallons of water each time they receive water.
- Size Blockbuster Trees need 16-20 gallons of water each time they receive water.
- Size Giant Trees need 22-26 gallons of water each time they receive water.
- Size B Specimen need 30-36 gallons of water each time they receive water.
- Size C Specimen & up need 40-50 gallons of water each time they receive water.
Summer
- Size 3-5 gallon shrubs need 4-5 gallons of water each time they receive water.
- Size Super Trees need 15 gallons of water each time they receive water.
- Size Huge Instant Trees need 24 gallons of water each time they receive water.
- Size Blockbuster Trees need 30 gallons of water each time they receive water.
- Size Giant Trees need 36 gallons of water each time they receive water.
- Size B Specimen need 42 gallons of water each time they receive water.
- Size C Specimen & up need 48 gallons of water each time they receive water.
Symptoms of Water Stress
- Excessive wilting
- Leaf Loss
- Brown “burnt spots on leaves”
- Stunted, small new growth
- Yellowing of interior leaves
Watering Schedule
Tropical Varieties Watering Schedule
When to water your tropical plants depending on the season and temperature.
Trees in this group: Ficus Nitida, Jacaranda, Queen Palm, Purple Plum, Pygmy Date, Deciduous Fruit Trees
- Summer / Above 100 degrees: Water 4 to 5 times per week
- Fall / 85-100 degrees: Water 2 times per week
- Winter / below 85 degrees: Water 1 time per week
- Spring / 85-100 degrees: Water 2 times per week
Sub-Tropical Varieties Watering Schedule
Here is how often you should be watering your sub-tropical plants depending on the season and temperature.
Trees in this group: Pepper, Citrus, Live Oak, Pine, Mex. Fan Palm
- Summer / Above 100 degrees: Water 3 to 4 times per week
- Fall / 85-100 degrees: Water 2 times per week
- Winter / below 85 degrees: Water 1 time per week
- Spring / 85-100 degrees: Water 2 times per week
Desert/Native Varieties Watering Schedule
Below is a standard watering schedule for desert/native varieties including the season and average temperature.
Trees in this group: Mesquite, Texas Ebony, Palo Verda, Vitex, Palo Brea, Willow Acacia, Sissoo
- Summer / Above 100 degrees: Water 3 to 4 times per week
- Fall / 85-100 degrees: Water 2 times per week
- Winter / below 85 degrees: Water 1 time per week
- Spring / 85-100 degrees: Water 2 times per week
Getting the Most Out of Your Arizona Trees
Maintaining a proper watering schedule is key to growing healthy trees in Arizona. While this can be fairly straight-forward, it’s important to keep an eye out for signs of stress so you can quickly adapt before suffering long term damage.
If you are looking for expert help choosing and planting trees, reach out to our team at Three Timbers. We deliver desert-ready trees and shrubs across the Valley, plant them for you, and design xeriscapes built for Arizona.
Helpful Arizona guides
- 23 drought-tolerant plants for Phoenix: water use, size and bloom for each
- Best privacy trees for Scottsdale: screens for hot walls, pools and frost pockets
- Ficus hedges in Scottsdale: spacing, watering and where they work
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