Get Your Gator On; Save Your Trees.
Prolonged dry conditions can really wreak havoc on newly planted trees, and if severe enough, tree death can occur. This past spring (June 2020) I planted a maple (Acer rubrum ‘Sun Valley’) in my backyard and last fall the township planted a similar species in the front of my property. The last several weeks our region has experienced hot dry weather often times exceeding 90 degrees F with only intermittent thunder showers to provide some relief but not enough moisture to sustain the life of newly planted trees. Rather than hoping and waiting for a well-timed soaking rain to preserve my trees, I purchased a “gator” to protect my trees from the dry soil conditions. “Gators” are watering bags that wrap around the bottom half of the trunk and/or on top of the tree bed and allow a slow soaking release of water to keep the tree properly hydrated. You may have seen these devices in municipal and mall parking lots on newly planted trees.
They are also a great tool for the homeowner who wishes to preserve their trees, increase the value of their landscape and protect their investment. After all, a reasonably sized deciduous tree (8-10 ft) may cost $150 to $300, if not more, depending on the species and cultivar. Spending $20 on a “gator” goes a long way to protecting this investment.
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Since I only had 2 trees, I only purchased one “gator” bag and about every 5 to 7 days I rotate the bag between the two maple trees both which are about 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Most are manufactured with a rust-proof zipper design for easy attachment and removal. I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to remove and re-attach. I fill the bag to its 15 -gallon capacity and let the water slowly soak the root zone. Once the threat of dry conditions subsides, I will remove the bag and store in the garage over the winter reserving the bag for next season or for any tree planting I may do in the fall. These bags are durable and should last for many years.
My personal experience:
- Easy-to-Use
- Saves time
- Water about every 5-7 days especially in dry conditions
- Conserves water/reduces water evaporation
- Provides for a deep thorough watering of the root zone
- Excellent method to prevent transplant shock of large trees
this is a great idea….thanks