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Established Blue Spruce watering needs #864179

Asked April 11, 2024, 8:01 PM EDT

I loveBend, in Deschutes County. Last year I finally tore out my lawn and planted clover. Love it!! As such, I am reducing my watering this year. In the beds around the “lawn,”there are two plants I really want to save! We will install a drip line to them…they are both well-established 20-30 foot Blue Spruces that we planted in 2000. How much water do I need to give, please, and how frequently, to keep them alive, happy and vital? Thank you!!

Deschutes County Oregon

Expert Response

Hi Andrea, 

How have you been watering the Blue Spruces?

Here is a link to our Water-wide Gardening guide which discusses general parameters for watering trees and shrubs as well as checking the soil moisture to see if you are probably watering sufficiently (see page 4): 

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-9136-water-wise-gardening-central-oregon

As mentioned, ideally it is good to saturate the soil 10 inches down in depth as well as water the feeder roots. These roots follow the dripline of the tree. So you will need to make the irrigation is reaching the dripline of the tree.  

Please reach out if you have further questions.

Lisa Cowan

Outreach Program Coordinator – Community Horticulture Program

Oregon State University

OSU Extension Service – Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson Counties

3800 SW Airport Way, Bldg #4

Redmond, OR 97756

Tel.:<personal data hidden> (direct line) I<personal data hidden> (x79590 - main line)

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An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 19, 2024, 4:44 PM EDT

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