You probably aren’t thinking about your trees much in mid-January, and we don’t really blame you. Heck, there’s not a whole lot going on in general, and most people are right to assume that the dormancy period of winter means your trees just aren’t up to much. 😴

However, it might behoove you to know that although dormancy is in effect, the root mass may still see some growth in this timeframe, and this is especially true of newer, younger trees.

We hope that you already gave your trees one last big drink around Thanksgiving. This is the ideal time to put deciduous trees to bed “wet.” After this point, and up until spring, this is when monthly check-ins become a good practice. ✅

You may have already heard that new trees – under a year old or so – need to be checked for water once a month over winter before your irrigation kicks back on. Actually, it is the first three 3 years that are important for new trees, and you might just give your new tree a leg up if you extend that watch time.

We always suggest choosing well-known winter holidays to help you remember when to check – New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, etc. Depending on the flavor of winter we are having – dry or wet – you might actually need to provide some water still during this chilly shoulder season.

Pro Tip: Don’t let your trees sit in water. Overwatering is as much of a problem as underwatering, especially in winter. ❄️

Once you’ve made it past winter and we are starting to see the trees “wake up,” (this can look like buds forming, thickening, or even opening – all of this is weather dependent and can be hard to pinpoint an exact date.) it is time for a wakeup drink!

This is a great way to get your tree back in the swing of things before irrigation kicks back on and our favorite season of all makes its entrance.

Happy tree care! 🌲🌳