Mature apple trees thrive when given 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week. Young apple trees need 2 inches (5 cm) of water per week to develop a healthy root system. Water your apple trees deeply once per week. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged. Otherwise, your apple trees will end up overwatered. If you provide excess water, you will damage the roots and kill the tree. Water your apple trees on a regular schedule for the best results. If rainfall will provide all the water your apple trees need that week, do not provide any supplemental water.
How Much Water Do Apple Trees Need Per Day?
Apple trees do not need watering every day. Providing a small amount of water on a daily basis won’t adequately soak the root zone to a deep level and feed your tree. Providing a lot of water every day will drown and kill your tree. Instead, water apple trees deeply once each week. Mature trees need 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week. Young apple trees need 2 inches (5 cm) of water weekly.
- Daily watering is not beneficial to apple trees.
- It is best to water apple trees deeply once per week.
- Mature trees need 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water each week.
- Young apple trees need 2 inches (5 cm) of water every week.
- The amount of water to apply depends on the tree’s size, soil type, and weather.
The amount of water to give your trees depends on their size, soil type, and weather conditions. A mature tree with a 14-foot (4 meters) canopy will need 30 gallons (110 liters) of water. Apple trees planted in sandy soil need more water than those planted in clay soil. This is because sandy soil dries out more quickly than clay. Additionally, apple trees need water more often in hot, sunny weather than during cool weather.
How Do You Water Apple Trees?
The best way to water your apple trees is by setting up a soaker hose or drip irrigation system. Coil a soaker hose so that the ground will be evenly watered from the tree’s base out to just beyond the spread of the branch canopy. Then, run your soaker hose for 15 minutes to provide 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water. To provide 2 inches (5 cm) of water for a young apple tree, run your soaker hose for 30 minutes. Once your tree begins bearing fruit, it’s no longer a young tree. This is a sign you can reduce watering volume.
- Water your apple trees deeply once per week.
- Set up a soaker hose or drip irrigation system for your trees.
- Water your trees well out past the dripline to encourage good growth.
- Water for 15 minutes with a soaker hose for mature apple trees.
- 30 minutes of watering with a soaker hose is ideal for young apple trees (3–5 years old).
Always water all the way out past the edge of the apple tree’s dripline. The roots out past the dripline absorb the majority of nutrients the tree needs. Watering beyond the root system encourages it to stretch out even further in support of your apple tree. By evenly soaking the ground to a depth of 6–8 inches (15–20 cm), you will provide all the water your apple tree needs.
Do Apple Trees Like Wet or Dry Soil?
Apple trees prefer to grow in moist soil. The soil should not be too wet or overly dry. Waterlogged soil prevents the roots from absorbing oxygen and all the necessary nutrients. Dry soil causes the apple tree to dehydrate and die.
- Apple trees want moist soil that’s neither overly wet nor too dry.
- Waterlogged soil keeps the roots from absorbing oxygen and nutrients.
- Dry soil leaves the apple tree dehydrated and will eventually kill it.
- Using the right soil type will help you keep your apple trees in moist soil at all times.
- Fruit trees grow best in sandy loam with the perfect balance of sand, clay, and silt.
The right soil type is key in keeping your trees in moist dirt at all times. Fruit trees—including apples—prefer sandy loam soil that drains well. This type of soil has the perfect balance of sand, clay, and silt. Compost and other sandy material help support and nourish apple trees as well. So, if you have heavy clay soil, it’s a good idea to mix compost, sand, and silt into the earth where you plan to plant your apple tree.
Can You Overwater Apple Trees?
You can easily over water your apple trees. Like all fruit trees, apples do not like to sit in waterlogged soil. The excess water prevents the roots from absorbing oxygen. Excess water will also wash essential nutrients and minerals out of the soil. If an apple tree’s root zone remains wet for too long, the roots can begin to rot, which will kill the tree.
- It’s easy to overwater your apple trees.
- Apple trees do not like to sit in waterlogged soil.
- Excess water in the soil prevents your tree from pulling in oxygen and nutrients.
- Skip watering your apple trees if it’s going to rain more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in an upcoming week.
- Check the soil moisture content before watering your trees when it’s cold out.
The easiest way to overwater apple trees is by watering them during cold, rainy weather. Always check the weather conditions before watering. Skip watering your apple trees if it’ll rain more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) that week. Cold weather slows evaporation. So, check the soil moisture level before watering when it’s cold out.
How Do You Know If Apple Trees Need Water?
Apple trees need water when the soil doesn’t feel moist anymore. These trees prefer evenly moist soil at all times. You should always check the soil moisture before watering. If the ground in the apple tree root zone feels moist, you can delay watering. If the ground feels dry to the touch, or if testing with a soil moisture meter returns a “dry” reading, it’s time to water. Remember, apple trees may need more frequent watering in dry weather or less frequent watering during cool, wet, or cloudy conditions.
- Check the soil at the base of your trees by hand or by using this soil moisture meter.
- If the soil reads as “moist,” your tree does not need water.
- If the moisture meter returns a “dry” reading, you should water your apple tree.
- Water needs for your tree will fluctuate with the weather.
- Underwatered apple trees show signs of drought stress in their leaves.
In order to determine if your apple trees are in desperate need of water, look for signs of underwatering. Underwatered apple trees will develop brown spots along the edges of the leaves and fruit may begin to rot. If your tree lacks water, new leaves will grow smaller than the older leaves. Early leaf drop is common in apple trees dealing with drought conditions.
Do Apple Trees Require Lots of Water?
Apple trees do not require lots of water to thrive. They need a low to moderate amount of water. When watering your apple tree, follow these rules:
- In most conditions, apple trees need water once per week.
- Keep the soil underneath the branches of your apple tree consistently moist for best results.
- If the soil is dry to the touch, your apple tree needs water.
- Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation system to provide water evenly under the branch canopy.
- 15 minutes of watering with a soaker hose will provide enough weekly water for a mature apple tree.
- Apple trees that are not yet old enough to bear fruit need 30 minutes of watering with the soaker hose once per week.
- Increase the watering frequency in hot, dry conditions.
- Decrease watering when natural rainfall and cool weather keep the ground moist.
When you take the right approach to water your apple trees, they’ll reward you with big harvests. You’ll then end up rich in apples each fall. You can enjoy them straight off the tree or in your favorite recipes.