Newly planted Q.agrifolia irrigation.

Bodean

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Hello all,

April 24th I'm planting 3 q.agrifolia, coast live oaks in Calistoga.
I know it may be a little late in the planting season, but there's still a tiny chill in the air.
24 inch boxes going on a creek embankment in hopes to help hold the bank.

I bought 2, 20 gallon treegator bags for each.
They have a meter dial for flow adjustment.
I figured some spaghetti hose and emitters, just fill it up and let it go.
Something easy for the homeowner to do.

My question is what frequency of irrigation?
Gallons per week, how many times how long? kinda stuff.

Any other suggestions?
 

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It really depends on the runoff. Did you mulch? What is the soil like, clay? Does it perk?

Gators are good for limited growing zones like sidewalks because they only really water just at the root ball.
Maybe make a larger circle with the dripline just outside the root ball.

All things considered, a bag a week? Really depends on environmental conditions, weather, soil, runoff etc.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3
I haven't planted yet, so I'm fielding ideas now.

I'm glad you replied Frans, I figured you knew that area the best.
Hopefully Paul says something too.
Definetly going to dig a large enough hole, rough up the side invigorate roots, little holy water.

I plan on mulching and the whole monty.

The extnesion of the treegators effect?
I'm hoping, like you said. To be able to add spaghetti lines and emitters forming a ring
draping/teasing the root ball out into the natural substrate/soil.
 
I think you're fine regarding the lateness in the season. If the tree is getting it's needs taken care of (as it seems you are making sure of) then it can be planted any time (though- of course, some times are better than others.

If that was my tree, I'd give it about...maybe 20 gallons per week for the first couple months, then tapering off to eventual self-reliance.

I like frans's question about the mulch. If you haven't done it, DO IT. As wide as possible and a few inches deep.

Don't forget that you've planted a dry-climate tree and the soil can't be moist all the time.

love
nick
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5
Nick,

The trees will be planted well up on the bank, I'm imagining like the edge of the Riparian canopy.

Deeper towards the water would be more like alder or willow.
 
Are the trees aware of the economic climate they are being transplanted in. It's tough times out there!

You either have too much or too little water almost always; so many factors: soil type, slope, area, climate, microclimate. I would plant, water plenty in the beginning and then setup a schedule with more conservative figures and then come back to monitor and check out. Watch out for overwatering in the hot, dry season to avoid conditions for oak root rot.

jp:D
 
Bo Dean... I just noticed this thread. would figure that a 10 gallon watering once a week would be good, dependant on drainage and weather of course. the warmer the weather and the faster the percolation, the more agua you should apply. :)

consider a percolation test, dig a hole, fill it with water and time how long it takes to drain to empty. :)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8
Yo.

Planted them yesterday, I was surprised at how tall they were when they arrived. maybe 8 feet tall.

I'm not home right now, but when I get home I'll post my pictures.
Turned out to be an awesome day, only a 200 mile round trip drive.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9
So, here's the pics from yesterday,
beauty day, light wind cool in the morning and warm in the afternoon.
Got there at 7:45. Had some breakfast at this decent little place.

We drove back towards the city at around 12:30-1pm.
6am-3pm, 200 miles round trip, three trees installed.

The tree locations were on the cusp of the riparian bank.
We installed the trees in great soil locations, though we still ammended
with a compost mix from work. The soil was pretty rich and dark.
The bank side was pretty unstable beyond the tree locations.
Lot's of yard clippings, though no lawn cuttings.


The tenants daughter 30 something is a landscaper who I trust will
care for these trees, no maintenance or monitoring wanted in the contract, so I bought these
tree gator bags. 20 gallons delivered over the course of 10 hours/week.
Also the grounds guy Jim will be monitoring them also.

The tree delivery guy said 2 gallons a day til July then maybe three gallons/day if it gets hot.
 

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THose are good looking trees! It's hard to find good stock like that.

Great job man!!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12
That's a ploy, Butch.


Thanks Andrew, the trees looked great, not even root bound.

Thanks John, It's easy to rot roots in the summer, for sure.

I'll check them again in July personally, until then I have the ground guys number.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #14
Those gator bags only come with four prick points in the corners to let water out.

There is no meter or dial as i earlier had thought, maybe wishful thinking.

I think they should be alright we'll see.
 
Those are nice, and big. Did you get them from the oak nursery just north of mt. st. helena? How much?
 
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