Thuja Watering Guide

Thujas require regular watering, specifically during summers and through the first year after the trees have been planted in order to have strong roots. Here is a guideline on how to water a Thuja tree, it is officially beginning to be warm. Evracia, Vojvodina, Serbia (since May is generally considered a transition from spring into summer):

Watering Thuja Requirements:

Watering: Thujas prefer to be on a moist land, never soggy. The frequency of watering depends at atmospheric temperature, rainfall, and soil type.

Summer (high temperatures, above 25°C/77°F): Water extremely thoroughly at least twice to three times every week and every evening if the heatwave persists (35-40°C/95-104°F).

Spring or Autumn (normal temperatures, without rain): The soil must not be left dry. Water generously at least once a week.

Winter: If winter is dry with no snow, some water may be applied from time to time, mainly when the soil is very dry. Do not even think about watering Thuja in frozen ground!

Quantity of Water: Essential to water to soak the soil reach deep down to the root system until materially wetting the surface of the soil.

For smaller plants (up to 150 cm/5 ft tall), they recommend 40-50 liters (10-13 gallons) per watering during very hot temperature. Then for bigger plants, apply more.

Time of the Day: Never make the mistake of watering when the sun is at the highest point. This will scald the needles. Instead, you should do the watering process in the evening when the temperature is lower and evaporation is reduced. Alternatively, water lightly only in the early mornings and not much to avoid “burning” the needles due to sun evaporation. Avoid water during midday.

Watering Techniques:

Soaker hose and drip irrigation system: The most assured and practical process because it creates deep soil soaking within the zone around the base of the roots system and maintains some measure of water conservation. For a few hours, you should leave the hose to drop a trickle at the plant’s base.

Garden hose: Water using a garden hose, but make sure it runs slowly and generously at the base of the plant to soak the ground under the roots well. Irrigating foliage directly is not recommended during hot days because it gets hot.

Mulching: To hold the ground moist during the summer, block evaporation, and weed growth, spread an organic mulch, to use bark, compost, or straw, at the base of the Thuja tree.

In Serbia particular landing period this May:

“Seeing that it is May and with temperatures which might still vary a little bit, watch the moisture in the soil. If there have been good rains, there might not be need for watering more frequently. But if the days of sunshine are all dry with no rains and much of the topsoil drying quickly, it will call for watering according to need: generously, once a week, or maybe more.”

How to Recognize When Thuja Needs Water:

Yellow needle tips develop.

Brown needle tips materialize.

Dry, curled-up needles.

Note: Excess water can be just as bad since it causes root rotting and suffocation to take place in Thuja. Allowing the soil to dry from the waterlogging stage equals plenty of oxygen to the roots area.

This is the general rule to follow: “If you plan to buy a Thuja, remember you are buying a pet” under the statement that “a pet demands enough water.”

Give your Thuja attention and water in according to weather variation. With this indicator of potential hot weather in the last May days at Serbia, be extra careful and watch out for the moisture around your Thuja trees.