Well, let me tell you somethin’ ’bout waterin’ them old trees in Texas, the ones that have been standin’ there longer than I can remember. It ain’t as simple as just turnin’ on the hose, you know. You gotta be careful, or you might end up doin’ more harm than good.
The sun, it beats down somethin’ fierce here in Texas, especially in the summer. That sun, it just sucks the water right outta them trees. Too much sun, not enough water, and them trees, they just dry up and die. It’s like us folks, you don’t drink enough water in this heat, you gonna be in trouble.
Now, them Live Oak trees, they’re tough. They’re everywhere here, and they’re strong. But even them tough old trees, they need water. But get this, they ain’t like them young trees, they don’t need as much water, the little ones need more. If you go waterin’ them old trees like they’re babies, you’re gonna drown ’em.
- Too much water, the roots, they rot.
- Bugs and diseases, they come crawlin’ in.
- Then, your tree, it’s a goner.
Right now, it’s dry as a bone out there. Drought, they call it. Ain’t seen rain in ages. Last time we had a drought this bad, back in 2011, I heard tell they lost millions of trees. Millions! Can you imagine that? All them trees, just gone. They say it’s ’cause of the heat and no water. Trees, they need water to make their food, just like us. No food, no life, simple as that.
So, if you’re gonna water them old trees, you gotta do it right. Don’t just go sprayin’ water all over the place. You gotta water ’em good, down deep, where the roots are. But not too close to the trunk, you gotta water out a ways, where the branches reach. That’s where them roots are sucking up the water.
And don’t be waterin’ in the middle of the day, when the sun’s beatin’ down. Water in the mornin’, when it’s cool, or in the evenin’, when the sun’s goin’ down. That way the water don’t just dry up before the tree can get to it. And don’t be wastin’ water neither. We gotta be careful with water, especially now when there ain’t much of it to go around. Folks in town, they have rules about waterin’ during a drought. Gotta follow them rules, or you’ll get in trouble.
The heat, it’s been somethin’ else this year. Already hot as blazes in June, and no rain. Makes me worried for them trees. They’re important, them trees. They give us shade, make the air cooler. We gotta take care of ’em, especially the old ones.
Now, different trees, they need different amounts of water. And the dirt, that matters too. If you got that sandy dirt, the water just drains right through. If you got that clay dirt, the water just sits there. You gotta figure out what kind of dirt you got and how much water your tree needs. It ain’t one size fits all, you know.
And remember, you don’t gotta water them old trees as much as the young ones. They’ve been around a long time, they’ve seen droughts before. They’re tougher than you think. Just give ’em a good soakin’ every now and then, when it’s dry, and they’ll be alright. But don’t go overdoin’ it, or you’ll kill ’em with kindness, as they say.
So, there you have it. A little bit of common sense about waterin’ them old trees in Texas. Just remember, not too much, not too little, and not too close to the trunk. Water deep, water slow, and water when it’s cool. And for goodness sake, don’t waste water, we need all we can get. Do that, and them old trees, they’ll keep standin’ there for years to come.
And if you are plantin’ new trees, wait until fall. That’s what the smart folks say, give them trees a chance to grow before the summer heat comes again. Plant the right tree in the right place, that’s what they say. And that makes good sense to me.
Take care of them trees, and they’ll take care of you. That’s the way it’s always been, and that’s the way it should be. Now, go on and get yourself a glass of water, you hear? It’s hot out there.