Introduction

If you have recently planted a Kousa dogwood tree in your garden or yard, one of the most critical aspects of its care is watering. Watering a newly planted Kousa dogwood tree correctly can help it establish roots and grow healthily. However, over or under watering can cause numerous problems and even kill the tree. In this article, we will guide you on how often to water a newly planted Kousa dogwood tree.

First Week After Planting

In the first week after planting a Kousa dogwood tree, you need to water it frequently. The tree is still establishing roots and requires moist soil to do so. During this period, water the tree daily or every two days based on the weather condition. You can reduce the watering frequency if it is raining, and the soil is moist. However, if the weather is hot and dry, you may need to water the tree more than once a day to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.

Second to Fourth Week After Planting

As the Kousa dogwood tree matures and starts to settle in the new environment, you must gradually reduce the watering frequency. During the second to fourth week after planting, water the tree every 2-3 days, again based on weather conditions. If the tree has started to develop new buds and leaves, you can reduce the watering frequency further as it indicates that the roots have established properly.

Fifth Week and Beyond

After four weeks of planting the tree, you can further reduce the watering frequency as the tree continues to mature. By this time, the roots should have spread out in the soil, enabling the tree to absorb moisture and nutrients more efficiently. You can water the Kousa dogwood tree once a week during the fifth week and beyond, depending on the rainfall and humidity levels. However, if the weather is hot and dry, you may need to increase the watering frequency temporarily to keep the soil moist.

Potential Problems

Over or under watering can cause significant problems for a newly planted Kousa dogwood tree. Over watering can lead to standing water around the tree's roots, leading to root rot and fungal diseases. Additionally, over watering can cause the leaves to turn yellow and eventually fall off. On the other hand, under watering can cause the tree to wilt, and the leaves to turn brown and crispy.

Conclusion

Proper watering is essential for the growth and survival of a newly planted Kousa dogwood tree. During the first week after planting, water the tree daily or every two days. Then gradually reduce the watering frequency to every 2-3 days in the second to fourth week and once a week from the fifth week onwards. Remember to water the tree deeply each time and avoid over or under watering to ensure that the Kousa dogwood tree grows into a healthy, beautiful addition to your garden or yard.