In our case, watering saplings involves several methods. We have a nursery with a shade covering for extreme heat in the summers. It has an overhead watering mechanism to keep our newly potted saplings growing, while we tend the ones already planted out in the open spaces.
To water in open spaces, we have a 150-gallon tank that fits in the back of a pickup truck. We drive that truck to each location, then siphon off water into gallon buckets (usually filled halfway, to avoid spillage) which volunteers carry to the individual saplings.
Once or twice a year, the volunteers do something called “trenching” (photo above) where we gently dig a trench about 12” from the trunk to the new root line, and build a berm to catch and keep the water near the newest root lines. This wastes less water, and helps the new roots get the water they need in dry times, instead of water just pooling at the trunk or running off downhill.
We don’t just splash water over the tree! We bend down and pour slowly to let the tree drink in the moisture. This takes some patience if the ground water level is good. Other times the tree area is so dry that it just soaks right in. It’s important to pay attention to how the tree is “drinking.”
A watered and cared-for tree can become self-sustaining in about 3 years. Then it’s time to move on to new plantings, and to “volunteer” trees that have sprouted on their own, yet could use some extra care in their early years. This is a continuing process, not “one and done,” so it’s crucial to have a steady flow of interested and caring volunteers to support the core group that has been doing this for years.
Want to leave a living legacy for future generations? It’s very fulfilling work, and we would love to have you join us.
Contact: skyvalleyvolunteers@gmail.com