leaves. So, the tree doesn’t look tired,” Hall noted. “The happier you can make the root ball, the better off you are.” WATER-SAVING TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES While Hall prefers a hands-on ap- proach, many professionals in tree care utilize automation tools to ensure prop- er watering. Drip irrigation systems can be equipped with timers and controllers to operate on a preset schedule. Smart irrigation con- trollers, which use sensors to monitor soil moisture, can adjust watering schedules to prevent over- or under-watering. However, setting up these systems re- quires upfront labor and costs, especial- ly when installing emitter lines for each tree. The expenses should be weighed against the savings from reduced wa- ter usage and the benefits of delivering water directly to the root ball instead of using less efficient water sprinklers. Mulching is another effective water conservation technique. Organic mulch helps reduce water evaporation from the soil, minimizing the need for fre- quent watering. It also improves soil structure as it decays. Arborists should apply mulch two to four inches thick, keeping it a couple inches away from the base of the tree.
Once placed, the TREEIB bags are filled with water using a garden hose or even a fire hose. The heavy-duty, reusable 400-gallon bags release water over eight to 22 hours and are then removed from around the tree.
parts,” Hall shared. “It’s better to have eyes on the system to know it’s running properly than to trust a computer.” To conserve water further, Millican consolidates rows and moves trees as the selling season progresses, reduc- ing the acreage that needs irrigation. Additionally, drip irrigation helps the nursery sell healthier trees. “Trees aren’t getting overhead water, so there’s no leaf spot, no blast off the
“Spraying useless water to get things moist has been replaced with putting water directly into the root ball,” Hall ex- plained. “It is more intensive to set up, but it does much better watering and we save a significant amount of water.” Millican’s tree rows are 175 feet long, with four trees planted across, spaced five feet apart. Drip lines, or “spaghet- ti” lines, run between the rows with in- dividual emitters for each tree. These lines can be rolled up and out of the way when not in use, though the company replaces the hoses about once every decade due to wear and tear. Despite the presence of a main weath- er station, five rainfall monitoring stations, and moisture sensors, Hall stated watering decisions are still made “primarily off of feel.” Millican pumps irrigation water from ponds on its property, and most of the runoff returns to the holding ponds due to the topography. They’ve chosen not to implement an automated water- ing system due to the complexity of their setup. “We have a 13,000-gallon system with a lot of hydrants, valves and moving
Moisture retention qualities of mulch can vary by the type, quality, and depth of application. Be sure to research which mulch type and technique fits the needs of the tree.
50 | ArborTIMES Fall 2024
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