Pear Tree Irrigation: Tips On Watering A Pear Tree

Pear trees are a great addition to a yard or landscape. Pears are delicate, however, and too much or too little watering can lead to yellowing or dropped leaves and subpar fruit. Keep reading to learn more about pear tree watering and how often to water pears.

Pear Tree Watering

The main thing to establish when determining pear tree watering needs is the age of the tree. If your tree is newly planted or less than a few years old, its roots are probably not very well established beyond the root ball it formed in its initial container. This means the tree should be watered close to the trunk and frequently, two or possibly even three times a week if there’s no rainfall. When a tree matures, however, its roots spread out. If your tree has been growing in the same spot for a number of years, its roots will have expanded to just beyond the drip line, or the edge of the canopy, where rainwater naturally drips off the leaves to soak into the ground. Water your mature tree less frequently and around the drip line. Keep in mind the type of soil your tree is planted in. Heavy clay soils hold water well and require less frequent waterings, while sandy soils drain easily and require more frequent waterings. Never let water stand around your tree for more than 24 hours, as this can cause the roots to rot. If you have heavy clay soil that drains slowly, you may need to split up your watering over several sessions to keep the water from pooling.

How Much Water Do Pear Trees Need?

Newly planted trees need roughly a gallon (4 L.) of water a week, whether that comes from pear tree irrigation, rainfall, or a combination of the two. You can get a sense of whether you need to water by feeling the soil 6 inches (15 cm.) from the trunk and 6 to 10 inches (15-25 cm.) deep. If the soil is damp, the tree doesn’t need to be watered. Regardless of its age, a pear tree’s roots don’t usually grow deeper than 24 inches (61 cm.) below ground. These types of roots benefit from infrequent but deep waterings, meaning the soil gets moistened all the way to 24 inches (61 cm.) deep.