How Often To Water Newly Planted Arborvitae Trees

You should water newly planted arborvitae trees deeply and frequently during their first growing season.
 
How often to water newly planted arborvitae trees depends on several factors like weather, soil type, and tree size.
 
As a general rule, your newly planted arborvitae trees need water about two to three times per week for the first few months.
 
After that, you can gradually reduce the frequency as the roots establish themselves.
 
In this post, I’ll break down exactly how often to water newly planted arborvitae trees so you can keep them healthy and thriving.
 
Let’s get into the details.
 

How Often to Water Newly Planted Arborvitae Trees

The frequency of watering newly planted arborvitae trees changes over time.
 
Here’s a simple schedule to follow for watering newly planted arborvitae trees based on the stage of establishment.
 

First Two Weeks After Planting

For the first two weeks, your newly planted arborvitae trees need water every other day or every two days if the weather is hot.
 
The goal is to keep the root ball consistently moist but not soggy.
 
How often to water newly planted arborvitae trees in this period means checking the soil daily with your finger.
 
If the top inch of soil feels dry, it’s time to water.
 
Newly planted arborvitae trees have limited root systems at this stage, so they depend on you for moisture.
 

Weeks Three Through Eight

After the first two weeks, you can water newly planted arborvitae trees about twice per week.
 
Be consistent with watering newly planted arborvitae trees, especially if rainfall is scarce.
 
Each watering session should be deep, soaking the soil around the root zone to encourage roots to grow downward.
 
How often to water newly planted arborvitae trees now depends on whether the top two inches of soil are dry before the next watering.
 
A slow trickle from a garden hose for 10–15 minutes per tree works well.
 

First Growing Season

During the rest of the first year, water newly planted arborvitae trees once per week if there is no significant rain.
 
This schedule for watering newly planted arborvitae trees helps the roots become established deep in the ground.
 
If you live in a hot or windy area, you might need to water newly planted arborvitae trees a second time that week.
 
How often to water newly planted arborvitae trees in the first season should adjust to weather extremes.
 
Aim for about one inch of water per week from irrigation or rain combined.
 

Factors That Affect How Often to Water Newly Planted Arborvitae Trees

Not all gardens are the same, so how often to water newly planted arborvitae trees will vary.
 
Consider these elements when planning your newly planted arborvitae watering schedule.
 

Soil Type

Sandy soil drains quickly, so you may need to water newly planted arborvitae trees more frequently.
 
Clay soil holds moisture longer, so watering newly planted arborvitae trees too often can lead to root rot.
 
How often to water newly planted arborvitae trees in clay soil might mean cutting back to once every five to seven days.
 
Always check soil moisture before adding more water.
 

Weather and Season

Hot, dry weather means you’ll water newly planted arborvitae trees more often.
 
Cool, rainy periods allow you to skip watering altogether.
 
How often to water newly planted arborvitae trees in summer could be three times per week, while in fall you may drop to once a week.
 
Newly planted arborvitae trees are especially vulnerable to drought stress in their first year.
 

Tree Size and Spacing

Larger arborvitae trees need more water than smaller ones because they have more foliage to support.
 
If you planted several newly planted arborvitae trees close together, they will compete for moisture.
 
How often to water newly planted arborvitae trees in a hedge row might require deeper, more frequent watering to reach all roots.
 

Signs Your Newly Planted Arborvitae Trees Need Water

Even with a schedule, it’s smart to watch for cues that tell you it’s time to water newly planted arborvitae trees.
 

Wilting or Drooping Foliage

If the branches start to droop or the tips look limp, your newly planted arborvitae trees likely need water.
 
This is one of the first signs that watering newly planted arborvitae trees should happen soon.
 

Browning or Yellowing Needles

Needles turning brown or yellow, especially from the inside out, can indicate underwatering.
 
But be careful – overwatering can also cause browning.
 
How often to water newly planted arborvitae trees should keep the soil consistently damp, not drenched.
 

Soil Pulling Away from the Root Ball

When soil dries out too much, it shrinks and creates gaps around the root ball.
 
This means water runs past the roots instead of soaking in.
 
If you see this, water newly planted arborvitae trees slowly and deeply to rehydrate the soil.
 

So, How Often to Water Newly Planted Arborvitae Trees?

You should water newly planted arborvitae trees deeply two to three times per week for the first month, then gradually reduce to once a week by the end of the first year.
 
How often to water newly planted arborvitae trees always depends on checking the soil and watching the weather.
 
Newly planted arborvitae trees need consistent moisture but hate waterlogged roots.
 
Adjust your watering newly planted arborvitae schedule based on soil type, temperature, and rainfall.
 
Stick to this guide and your arborvitae will reward you with lush, green growth for years to come.
 
Happy planting!