Summers are getting hotter and a great way to beat the heat is to strategically plant trees in your garden or yard that are drought resistant and provide plenty of shade. Keep in mind that depending on size and species, these trees take a few years to become established, but once their root system is mature, they no longer need additional water unless there is a severe drought. So you'll be able to forget about watering and relax in the shade, knowing that the canopy above your head and the roots beneath your feet will be strong all season long. Find out in this article which trees need little water and will provide your garden with coolness and greenery!
Trees that need little water – the burdock oak
With its strong branches, deep roots and dense, shade-providing crown, the burdock oak (Quercus macrocarpa) is the superhero tree your garden has been looking for. It is a large, fast-growing tree species valued for its resistance to cold and insects and its ability to thrive in poor soil. Once established, the oak can live 200 to 300 years.
Oak trees bloom in spring, primarily May, and produce mossy, chestnut-like acorns in fall, which are an important food source for squirrels and rabbits. If you are looking for an environmentally friendly tree, look no further than oak. It provides a home for the birds that nest in it, and butterflies and bees feed on its pollen. It is also one of the trees that requires little water.
Bladder ash – the tree of the future in the fight against climate change
The bladder ash (Koelreuteria paniculata), also known as the bladder tree, is a picturesque tree that blooms in summer. It impresses with its star-shaped yellow flowers, which attract butterflies and bees in warm weather, and when the flowers fall they resemble a shower of gold and are worthy of a dried flower display.
This hardy, fast-growing species is ideal for urban spaces and open spaces. It resists not only drought, but also pests, disease, heat, pollution and strong winds. For this reason, it is now considered the climate winner among the trees.
Plant your bubble tree in a sunny spot near a patio or playground. You can also plant it near the road and use it as a buffer for traffic noise.
Trees that need little water – Zedrach
The zedrach tree (Melia azedarach), also known as paternoster tree, Persian lilac, Chinese elder, is a deciduous, fast-growing tree that reaches a height of between 8 and 15 meters when young. It then grows by more than 30 cm per year. It blooms from March to May in purple, very fragrant inflorescences over 20 cm long.
The only disadvantage of this species is that it has a short lifespan - up to 20 years. Zedrach tree is frost hardy and can survive temperatures down to -15º C. It is also one of the trees that requires little water to thrive. The only disadvantage of this species is that it has a short lifespan - up to 20 years.
Ginkgo is also resistant to car exhaust and smog
Would you like to have a tree in your garden whose ancestors encountered dinosaurs? Then you need a ginkgo (fan leaf tree), which is one of the oldest surviving tree species on the planet. You can imagine how perfectly adaptable the ginkgo is, having survived from prehistoric times to the present. With their graceful fan-shaped leaves that turn golden in autumn, ginkgos make a magnificent addition to large gardens and wide avenues. These trees are great for urban environments because they are resistant to car exhaust and smog.
- Notice: Ginkgos are dioecious (have separate male and female plants). They do not produce true flowers, but the female plants produce plum-sized yellow-orange fruits. However, these fruits smell unpleasant, so we recommend that you only plant male ginkgos. Most ginkgos you find in stores are male anyway.
How often do you water new trees that need little water
Once established, drought-tolerant trees do not require additional water. But as we mentioned at the beginning of this article, young trees need care to develop a strong and deep root system that will ultimately make them drought tolerant. The watering schedule and amount of water depends on the type of tree planted, but here are some general guidelines for watering newly planted trees.
Time since planting/watering schedule
- 1-2 weeks: Once per day
- 3-12 weeks: Every 2-3 days
- 12 weeks – 2 to 3 years: Once a week, depending on rainfall
After the first two weeks, allow the soil to dry out before watering to stimulate deep roots. Check soil moisture by inserting a screwdriver into the soil. If the screwdriver inserts easily, the soil is still wet and you cannot water. If it is difficult to insert the screwdriver into the ground, it isSoil dryand it's time to water the tree.
After two or three years, most trees are ready to grow well on natural rainfall alone, so you can forget about the garden hose and enjoy beautiful summer foliage without water bills.
How much water should your tree receive per week? In general, new trees require 40 to 75 liters of water per week, depending on the width of the trunk. The wider the trunk, the more water the tree needs and the longer it takes to establish itself.
Which perennials thrive successfully in the shade of trees? Thefind out here!
