Ensure Any Tree In Your Yard Has The Water It Needs With One Easy Method

Would you ever consider giving your newly planted tree a donut? You might if you knew it could help your tree establish roots and make watering easier. "Soil donut" or "tree donut" are terms you might hear to describe a berm created around a newly planted tree. The purpose is to target irrigation to the tree's roots, allowing water to slowly infiltrate and percolate into the soil. Picture the precision with which a funnel directs water — that's how the berm works. You don't need a berm if you're using a low-volume watering method, such as drip irrigation, but it's especially helpful with high-volume systems like a hose.

First, be sure to prep your soil before planting your tree. Next, build a berm by mounding 2 to 4 inches of soil in a circle 6 to 10 inches from the base of the tree. Keep the circular shape in mind as you create the berm. You're essentially forming a donut-shaped saucer or basin for irrigation. Some experts make a good argument for using mulch, instead of soil, to build the berm since mulch can serve double-duty as a weed barrier. Alternatively, you can place up to 3 inches of mulch around your tree in the saucer-like area.

Once the berm is constructed, you're ready to start watering by filling the saucer and allowing it to soak into the tree roots. For the first watering, refill the saucer up to two more times. For ongoing watering, consider adjusting the water amount based on your soil type — one fill-up for sandy soil, two for loamy soil, and three for clay.

Over time, the tree's roots will grow beyond the berm, and there are two schools of thought about what to do with it as the tree grows. Some suggest removing it once the tree is established in about a year, since it will no longer be targeting the roots. Others recommend increasing the size of the berm as the tree grows to continue targeting the roots during their expansion. Whichever method you choose, the berm method should provide some peace of mind when it comes to giving enough water to your newly planted tree.