Tree Watering Ring | Slow Release Watering Bags for Newly Planted Trees
One way to avoid transplant shock for your newly planted trees is to utilize a tree watering ring or a slow release watering bag. The image above demonstrates the tree watering ring in use in a garden bed in front of a new home. The medium brown color of the device neatly conceals the bag from the street-view when placed on a bed of bark mulch. Pile the bark up about 6 inches deep around the perimeter of the bag and it will all but disappear.
Why You Should Use a Tree Watering Ring
Planting new trees in your yard to enhance your landscape can be a significant investment, in both time and money. In most cases, the cause of tree loss in the first 3 years is the result of improper planting techniques, and a lack of water immediately following the transplant. A tree watering ring may be the perfect solution for introducing the proper amount of water for your trees and avoiding tree shock. The watering ring releases the proper amount of water directly over the root structure.
Watering your trees by hand may seem like a viable solution. The trouble is, on a hot summer day the water may evaporate before it gets a chance to soak the soil and work its way down to the tree roots. The Tree watering ring solves this problem by releasing the water directly below the bag, which ultimately eliminates or minimizes the evaporation issue.
If you live in an area with watering restrictions, the watering ring comes to the rescue again. You can connect the ring to a watering barrel for continuous feed without wasting a drop of water. It’s an environmentally friendly solution that will reduce your water usage. Perhaps even more important, you won’t need to remember to water your trees.
Watering Bags for Larger Trees
The tree watering ring is perfect for smaller trees and shrubs, for larger trees you should consider the tree watering bag. It works on the same principle of “Slow & Steady Release” but has a much higher capacity. With 15 gallons of water inside, the tree watering bag will take care of larger trees for 7 to 10 days at a time. Just fill it and forget it. Depending on the brand, most of the tree watering bags can be used on trees up to 4 inches in diameter. The photo below is a nice depiction of the tree bag. Just one problem though, if you look close in the bottom left hand corner, you will see an exposed tree stake. Looks like they forgot to order Stake-Safe Covers.
