The importance of watering reservoirs around trees

Planting season is approaching

Even though autumn is the preferred planting season for trees, it is still wise to place watering reservoirs around tree trunks of newly planted trees. Why? And how do these watering reservoirs exactly work?

Watering reservoirs

Our watering reservoirs are professional watering systems for trees, made of HDPE (1,5 en 2,0 mm) en we supply them on rolls of 50 x 0,30 m. A watering reservoir is placed around the tree trunk and buried up to 10 cm, so it protrudes 20 cm above the ground surface. This way, a small water reservoir is created, in which very precisely water can be given at the right place.

Why watering reservoirs?

• Irregular rainfall: Although autumn is generally wetter, rainfall patterns are very irregular the last years. Also in autumn, there can be very dry periods or heavy rainstorms where large amounts of water cannot infiltrate the soil properly. Trees, therefore, need extra support. With watering edges, you ensure that the water provided actually reaches the roots.

• Better water infiltration: With watering reservoirs in place, water stays in the area around the base of the trunk. The water infiltrates gradually and doesn’t run off the surface. This way the root ball remains wet for longer and it also prevents water wastage.

• Sufficient depth: Newly planted trees don’t have deep enough roots to access water in deeper soil layers. A watering reservoir ensures that water reaches the root ball, where it is most needed.

• Faster root development: Irrigation with a watering reservoir around the tree helps roots develop better, which is important for the tree’s health. It helps to withstand storms and widespread roots also absorb nutrients and water better.

Installing watering reservoirs

It is important to install a watering reservoir correctly, to avoid damage to the tree. The height and the shape of the watering reservoir in the installation are very important.

• The watering reservoir should be buried up to approx. 10 cm into the ground for stability and an appropiate water absorption. Thus, the watering reservoir protrudes approx. 20 cm above the ground surface. When a watering reservoir is placed too high, the water will leak away below the reservoir. If the watering reservoir is placed too low, the root ball will not absorb enough water. The water runs off to the adjacent soil and the root ball will not get the water it needs.

• The watering reservoir should be placed in a cirkel around the tree. The water does not get evenly distributed on the root ball when the reservoir is placed as an oval.

• Diameter root ball = diameter watering edge

• The watering reservoir can be connected with a connector, bolts and nuts, double-sided tape or nailed to tree stakes.

• If tree stakes are used, it is important to place the tree stakes outside the watering reservoir. If you place them inside the watering reservoir, the water will run off the root ball. If you place them outside the watering reservoir, the water will flow over the root ball and the roots can directly absorb the water.

• After use, the watering reservoirs are reusable for new plantings. They last at least 10 years (at least 3 growth cycles of 3 years each).

Watering reservoirs therefore guarantee proper watering and help young trees establish better.