How to Water Spruce Trees

Spruce trees need sufficient water, even in the winter.

Spruce trees are a common evergreen tree with blue-green needles. Some needles may exhibit a dusty (silvery) appearance in addition to the green color. Like many evergreen trees, the spruce prefers moist soil and may develop problems if you do not give it enough water. To keep your spruce looking healthy, keep it watered and practice good watering techniques.

Things You'll Need

• Soaker hose
• Garden hose

Instructions

1. Water newly planted trees at least once a week during hot weather. The Tree Help website suggests placing the hose at the base of the tree. If you use a soaker hose, lay it in a circle or semi-circle around the base. Otherwise, turn on your garden hose only slightly, so a trickle of water comes out. Leave it there for a few hours so the tree gets a good drink.

2. Place the soaker hose further out from the base of the tree (about a foot or so), when watering established trees. This step is key if you fertilize the trees. Fertilizer that touches the tree trunk can burn it.

3. Cut down frequency of watering during winter months (when trees are dormant) but do not cut it out altogether. According to the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, the needles will get dehydrated and turn purple if a spruce does not get enough water throughout the year.

Tips & Warnings

• The University of Minnesota Extension suggests that watering at ground level using drip irrigation keeps water from splashing onto the needles and, therefore, prevents fungal diseases common to spruce trees.

• Instead of a soaker hose or a garden hose, use a sprinkler set on low so it does not spray the branches and needles.

References

• Tree Help: Spruce Tree Care
• University of Minnesota Extension: Spruce Tree Diseases
• Colorado State University Extension: Purple Needles on Spruce