I
get asked this question a lot. The simple answer is yes, but let me
explain why it is very important to water your trees in the winter.
Evergreen
trees remain somewhat active in the winter and especially when we
have warm temperatures in the 40s or above. Deciduous trees, even
though they loose their leaves, have active root growth in fall and
winter until soil temperatures get too cold. This root growth activity
requires water. I want to stress this point, fall is usually dryer
than spring and root growth is very active in the fall and early winter,
so watering during this period is very important. Sprinkler systems
are being turned off at this time. Root growth and water uptake is
also very active in early spring and this can be a problem after a
dry winter.
Water
in the soil, acts as a heat sink that regulates the soil temperature.
It keeps the soil from over heating in summer and from getting too
cold in winter. It softens and lubricates the soil in fall and spring
when roots are putting on the most growth. When it is cold enough,
the water in the upper soil layer freezes; this insolates the lower
layers of soil from any extreme air temperature fluctuations we might
get. Also, when the soil freezes the water expands moving and loosening
the soil so when it melts the soil is less compacted. There are many
reasons the soil needs to remain moist through the winter.
The
climate of the Colorado plains next to the foot hills does not supply
enough precipitation for trees to grow and be healthy with out additional
water. Some years are especially dry and warm compounding the problem.
So, if we want to give our trees the opportunity to grow and be healthy
we must supply enough water so they can function the way they were
designed to function.
Trees
use the unique properties of water to transport the raw materials
(nutrients and minerals) they need to manufacture sugar and energy
that are used as a fuel supply by the tree. If there is not enough
water, the supply of necessary materials is limited, which greatly
reduces the energy that is manufactured for the tree to survive. Trees
that are stressed by lack of water become sickly. They have weak chemical
defense systems and are readily attacked by insects and disease. Water
also is used by the tree for structural strength and flexibility;
drought stressed trees break much easier in storms.
Although
the importance of having enough water goes much deeper into cellular
functions and activities of the tree, the problems cause by lack of
water that we have already discussed should make the point that trees
need to be watered in the winter.
In
Part Two, of this topic, I will discuss how much water is needed,
how often you should water, methods you can use to water when the
sprinklers are turned off and where water should be placed under the
tree.
read Part Two in our December Issue
