How Often to Water Fruit Trees for Bigger, More Delicious Harvests Every Year

Water is vital when it comes to the health and productivity of fruit trees, supporting both root development and leaf growth. “Without the right amount of water, trees can become stressed,” says Lisa Tadewaldt, a certified arborist and co-founder of Urban Forest Pro. “It makes them more vulnerable to pests, disease, and poor fruit yield.”

However, the proper amount of moisture can vary depending on the age and type of fruit tree, along with growing conditions. Here, our gardening experts break down how often you should water different varieties, along with signs of stress that come from improper moisture levels. 

Factors to Consider

Watering your citrus tree—or any tree, for that matter—is crucial for its development and growth. “When watered properly, citrus trees will grow healthy feeder roots that help the tree canopy, trunk, and root growth, and produce delicious fruit for years to come,” says Josh Salaiz, nursery professional at Moon Valley Nurseries. 

Here’s how to determine the amount of water that your fruit tree may need.

Bare Root vs. Potted

How your tree arrives from the nursery can make a big difference. Bare root trees come exactly as they sound—dug up and packaged with nothing but mulch around the roots.

“These trees will need more watering for the first few months after planting. A potted tree is able to maintain a healthy rhizosphere, which is the area around the roots of the plant that take up nutrients,” says Ben Heusinkvelt, grounds and orchard manager at Arbor Day Farm. “Bare-root trees will take a bit more nurturing to establish a new rhizosphere.” 

Age of Tree

Young trees require much more attention than an established one, says Ward Dilmore, founder and head landscape designer at Petrus Landscaping.

“A young tree's root system is not as developed as an established tree, and will take a few years to have even some resistance to dry spells,” he says. “As a result, they require more regular watering, nutrients, and overall monitoring.” Tadewaldt recommends watering two to three times a week, making sure the surrounding ground gets a healthy soak.

Established trees, however, are more low-maintenance. “If they aren't watered for an extended period of time, they will likely be fine, as their root systems run very deep.”

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Soil Type

The most influential factor in how much water your tree needs may be your soil type, according to Heusinkvelt. “If you have sandy or light and loamy soils, they will drain water quickly, and you’ll need to water more often,” he says. “If your soil has a lot of clay and is dense, it will retain water much easier, and it won’t drain away from the tree as fast.” 

Send a soil sample to your local extension office if you need help determining what type you’re working with. 

Climate

Watering frequency depends on the time of year, where you live, and where the tree is planted, says Salaiz. “Summertime watering typically requires more frequency—maybe three to four times per week—without changing the amount of water being provided,” he says. “Fall, winter, and spring will always require less watering, such as one to two times a week.”

Differing Watering Needs 

Watering doesn’t widely vary for different types of fruit trees, but there are a few distinctions to keep in mind.

• Citrus trees. These have a more shallow root system, says Kevin Lenhart, design director at Yardzen, so they may require more regular watering—especially if they’re in containers. “But citrus trees are more sensitive to overwatering,” warns Tadewaldt. “They do better in soil that drains well with only moderate moisture.” 
• Warmer climate natives. “Fruit trees that are native to warmer climates, like citrus, olives, figs, and pomegranates, will have a higher drought tolerance,” says Dilmore. “This is because their native environment has less water, and they have evolved over time to have some drought resistance.” 
• Apples, cherries, and peaches. These have deep roots when established, Lenhart says, so they require the deepest, least frequent watering schedules. 
• Mulberry and elderberry. These trees need the top 8 to 10 inches of soil to be kept evenly moist, says Tammy Sons, founder and CEO of TN Nursery.

Best Practices  

The best way to ensure your fruit tree is receiving the correct amount of water is by long, deep watering. “This will encourage the roots of the tree to grow down deep,” says Tadewaldt, “which helps make them more resilient during hot or dry periods.”

Set a hose on a slow trickle and leave it at the base of your tree for 10 to 15 minutes, says Heusinkvelt, rotating the hose around the tree. “Without rain, younger trees will need this about once a week,” he says. “Older trees can go a couple of weeks between watering.”

All fruit trees—regardless of age or type—will benefit from mulching, especially with compost, says Lenhart. “Compost will feed the soil, suppress weeds, and help retain moisture,” he says.

Common Issues

Fruit trees are particularly sensitive to the stress of underwatering or overwatering. Here are some signs to watch out for.

Signs of Overwatering

Overwatering commonly occurs during cooler months, says Salaiz, when the tree doesn't require as much water as it would during the summer. Although it might not sound as dire, Dilmore warns that overwatered plants can be much more difficult to save if the problem persists.

“Gas exchange in the soil is vital to nutrient uptake in the roots,” says Heusinkvelt. “This can be suppressed by muddy, waterlogged soils."

If your soil is still wet a day or two after watering, it’s time to cut back. Here are additional signs your fruit tree is getting too much water: 

• Discoloration. “The leaves will begin to yellow as they're not getting the proper nutrients from the roots,” says Heusinkvelt.
• Root rot. “Soil that stays soggy around the tree base or has a sour smell is also a clue that the tree’s roots aren’t getting the oxygen they need,” warns Tadewaldt.
• Leaf drop. “Overwatered trees may drop their leaves,” says Salaiz, “but they can also drop their fruit prematurely.”
• Fungal growth. If you notice any mushroom or algae growth near the base, Sons advises immediate action. 

Signs of Underwatering

Underwatering signals will be visible fairly quickly, and always start with the leaves. The best way to tell whether a tree is receiving the correct amount of water, Heusinkvelt advises, is to monitor the soil around the base. Classic signs of a fruit tree not receiving adequate moisture include: 

• Wilted leaves. “Drooping and curling leaves are a classic first sign of underwatering,” says Dilmore. “A tree with drooping leaves often recovers quickly when watered thoroughly, though it's best to catch this as early as possible.”
• Yellowing or browning. Discoloration is also a sign of water stress, Heusinkvelt says, whether the leaves are turning yellow or scorched brown on the tips.
• Malformed fruit. If underwatering happens for too long, Tadewaldt warns that the fruit may end up being small, shriveled, or drop off the tree prematurely.
• Lack of growth. Stunted growth of new branches can also be a sign that you need to water, advises Heusinkvelt.