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SO how much water does a

9 years ago

Sweetbay Magnolia really need?
I planted one recently and didn't realize they were water trees that love wet areas.
If I water it often, with it growing in a sandy soil, with lots of mulch, do you think it'll do ok?
Stupid me, I did it again.
It is also planted in full sun. Although, I guess that's not so bad, mabey it will flower more.
So what do you think?
It's loosing alot of leaves, and I am watering it often.
Mabey it's suppose to loose leaves though.
Anyone with sandy soil in a dry area ever try to grow one of these?

Comments (7)

ilovemytrees
9 years ago
Well, to me, it's not about the tree, it's about the soil. I have sandy soil, and because of that it would be impossible to over water ANYTHING in my soil. That's what the tree farmer, who I live next door to, said to me when I first started planting.

I saturate my plants fully for about 15 minutes, with the water at full force, every day that it hits 78 degree or more. That's about 75 gallons of water. The water drains so fast that by the time I put the hose on the next tree, the water from the previous tree has fully drained. And in 15 minutes it looks barely wet!

Sandy soil just needs more water, because it doesn't hold the moisture in.
User
Original Author
9 years ago
ilove,
I hear you.
Oh well, I will water as much as I can, I did mulch it real good. If it does well, it does well.
If it doesn't, I'll get something else.
Sandy soil sucks.
But I'm used to it now, I just have to buy the correct plants and trees for it thats all.
Survival of the fittest at my place.
LOL!
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That's actually harder to answer than you'd think. Is it sandy soil where water flows right through quickly, leaving it dry? It is clay soil where it just sits there until it evaporates? Is it a loamy soil where it takes a little while to drain through so the plant has time to absorb some, then the soil remains damp? It is windy or fairly sheltered? Frequent winds evaporate more water from the plant and soil, faster, than fewer winds. Is there a lot of hardscape around them, increasing reflected, radiated heat, making them need more water? Or, is the bed they're in surrounded with lawns which reduce the water needs? There are actually several more variables which can affect how much water, how frequently, the plants may need. Can you give more particulars about where they are planted; any walls or sidewalks they may be up against; where you live so we have an idea of your heat/wind/aridity, etc.; soil type; exposure, etc.? Without more information, any suggestions you'll get are shots in the dark and may not be appropriate. Kim
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laceyvail 6A, WV
9 years ago
I have acidic sandy soil and have a sweetbay in full sun in quite a dry area. I don't water it ever. Of course, a newly planted tree is an entirely different story. And since zone 8 varies from the Pacific northwest to Texas, it's hard to know what kind of conditions you face.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years ago
sand is the ABSOLUTE best soil for trees ... its all about drainage ... as alluded to above ... all trees and shrubs.. want a drink.. and then near total drainage ... not many want to be standing in damp soil ....

and one thing for sure.. do NOT water them like annuals nor perennials ...

learn how to water properly ... see link

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link
hairmetal4ever
9 years ago
My rather simplistic mind thinks that, although sandy soil does drain faster and dry out faster, it's increased air capacity and friability means that root systems are typically more extensive and expansive (both outward and downward) so the trees somewhat make up for the lack of wate rholding capacity by being better equipped to take up whatever water is there.

Furthermore, sand absorbs the water faster than clay or loam, so there's less runoff and more water actually gets to the roots in a torrential summer downpour.

Finally - water sinks in deeper. An inch of rain on sand might penetrate a foot down, where on clay it may only go 4" or so.

All this means that, depending on species of course, a tree doesn't necessarily need more water on sand than on clay or loam, at least once it is established.
User
Original Author
9 years ago
Lacey, Thank you so much. It's good to know that this tree won't need constantly wet soil, I just want it to live. I have to admit, I love magnolias.
I am in South Carolina, in the sand hills.
Ken, thanks for encouraging words.
You know hairmetal, what you wrote made sense.
I'll see if it lives alright, we got alot of rain lately, and it looks pretty happy, I will make sure it gets water this year though. It'll take awhile for it to root in.
lou_spicewood_tx
9 years ago
Regular mulching (or mulch mow grass clippings regularly) will lead to higher organic matter % in the soil that will hold more water capacity.

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