Irrigation for multi-tree planting

[GregManning]

Water supplied (hose sections / etc) to circular "soaker hoses" around transplants ?

 

[colb]

Water supplied (hose sections / etc) to circular "soaker hoses" around transplants ?

I didn't understand that, Greg. Can you restate? Thanks for contributing.

 

[GregManning]

Soaker hoses are granular rubber bits fused into hoses, but have many, many small pores, to allow the slow distribution of water.
Used in gardens, new lawns, tree transplants, etc.
Just regulate the water supply: timer, pressure, etc.

Pro Series 1-inch Soaker Hose, For Longer Runs

Reduce water usage up to 70%! Just connect the hose to your outside faucet or garden hose and turn the water on to low pressure (1/4 turn). This will slowly water your plants at the root zone where they need it most, with no runoff or evaporation. Hoses can be used above or below the ground. If...

www.gardenersedge.com

Many, many different suppliers,

Suggest covering the soaker hose w/ mulch, straw, etc.

 

[GregManning]

Soaker hose, obviously, can be cut into sections w/ added M & F fittings.
Depending on required water flow quantity, the supply hose could be cheap ~1/2".

 

[cerviarborist]

Emitters allow you to precisely calibrate the amount of water going to the tree and are far and away a superior method of irrigating planted nursery stock. Many systems are barbed, so you can pull the supply line to site where the tree will go.. barb in however many emitters you need to give the number of gallons you want on the root ball in just a few seconds, and keep unrolling supply line to the next planting site. Determine how many gallons you want on the root ball, and then a combination of run time and number of emitters to provide that quantity. A battery powered valve on the hose bib will let you irrigate a precise amount, multiple times per day, and will allow drainage and gas exchange in between irrigation cycles.

 

[ATH]

I was thinking like this...decide whether it is easier/cheaper to buy one long one and make your own looks or buy loops:

 

[ATH]

Slowly soaking maintains an anaerobic environment, detrimental to tree roots. The soil needs time to drain to field capacity. You're not getting that with a 10 hour soak.

25 gallons in sandy soil (or even clay) over 5-6 hours will not lead to saturated soil... Certainly not for more than an hour or two. Every other day, that will not be an issue unless you are watering immediately after rain.

 

[ATH]

Remember, your tree is going to eventually adapt to the permanent conditions of the site. The only reason for irrigating is to keep the parts of the tree that came from the nursery fully functional, so that they can push roots out into the existing soil, and adapt to those existing conditions. Watering an area where there are no roots is a waste.

Agreed...if you didn't plan for that, you planted the wrong tree on the site!