--- title: Watering Mature Trees in the High Desert url: https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/watering-mature-trees-high-desert/ business: Battle Born Tree Service address: 6301 US Highway 50 East, Carson City, NV 89701 phone: 775.232.8243 hours: Office Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm; phones answered seven days a week; 24-hour emergency service credentials: ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A on staff; Nevada Business License # 20131580674; fully insured type: Tree service (removal, crane work, pruning, stump grinding, defensible space, snow removal, firewood) --- - [Home](https://battleborntreeservice.com/) - [The Field Guide](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/) - Watering mature trees in the high desert # How should you water mature trees in the high desert? Water mature trees in the growing season to a depth of 18 inches, out to the edge of the canopy, with a thorough soaking rather than frequent shallow sprinkles. Mulch the root zone with 3 to 4 inches of organic mulch and keep it off the trunk. Key takeaways - Water regularly in the growing season to 18 inches deep, out to the edge of the canopy (UNR Extension). - A thorough soak is much better than shallow, frequent watering. - Mulch 3 to 4 inches of organic material across the root zone, kept 6 inches from the trunk. - Never put sheet plastic under mulch; it can kill roots. - Stressed trees need a look from an arborist, not more water by guess. Reno gets about 9 inches of precipitation a year, and Minden about the same. Our big shade trees were planted on lawns and irrigation, not on rain. When the lawn is replaced or the irrigation changes, the trees notice. ## Our climate in numbers The NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals put precipitation near 9 inches a year in Reno (9.24 inches at the Reno 1.4 NNE station) and 9.34 inches at Minden, and 11.7 inches at Virginia City at about 6,340 feet. These are desert numbers. A mature tree on a lot that is not irrigated is living on much less water than its species evolved with. Most established landscape trees in our valleys depend on the lawn, drip lines or flood irrigation around them. If you convert turf to rock or wood chips, check what the trees will get after the change. ## How deep and how wide should you water a mature tree? University of Nevada, Reno Extension's advice for landscape trees is to water regularly during the growing season to a depth of 18 inches, out to the edge of the canopy. Many people water close to the trunk, but the roots that take up water are mostly out toward and beyond the drip line. Extension's planting guide adds that a thorough soaking is much better than shallow, frequent watering. Shallow watering keeps the roots near the surface where the soil dries and heats first. For drip systems, make sure there are enough emitters; Extension suggests at least four emitters per tree for newly planted trees, and larger trees need more coverage. ## How to check what you did A soil probe, long screwdriver or a rod of rebar pushes easily into wet soil and stops where the soil is dry. Test a day after watering. If it stops at 5 inches, the soak did not reach 18. Adjust the run time, not the frequency, and check again. We do not publish a schedule of days and minutes, because it depends on soil, exposure, species and the emitters. Extension itself gives no single schedule for the same reason. ## How should you mulch a tree? Extension recommends 3 to 4 inches of organic mulch over the planting area, kept 6 inches from the trunk, and no sheet plastic under it, which can kill tree roots. The ISA says the recommended depth is 2 to 4 inches, with coarse arborist wood chips at 3 to 4 inches, applied near but not touching the trunk and out to the drip line if practical. A ring of at least 3 feet in radius is the minimum for most trees. Mulch piled against the trunk, called a mulch volcano, softens the bark and can lead to stem-girdling roots. Pull it back so the base of the trunk shows. ## Signs a tree is short of water - Leaves that scorch, curl or drop early in summer - Thin crowns or dead twigs at the tips - A tree that was fine and declines after a landscape or irrigation change - Dead branches in the upper crown These can also point to roots, pests or decay. Water stress is a common cause but not the only one. See [drought stress and dieback](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-guide/drought-stress-and-dieback/). ## When to call If a mature tree is declining, call for an assessment. A certified arborist can tell you whether the issue is water, structure or something else, and whether pruning, support or removal is the right answer. Battle Born Tree Service has two ISA Certified Arborists on staff, including ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A. We do not offer fertilizing or pest treatment, so water and mulch are the care points we can help you decide on. Ask about our [arborist consultation](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/arborist-consultation/). ### Sources - [University of Nevada, Reno Extension: Tips for Healthy Landscape Trees](https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=2649) (read October 17, 2026) - [University of Nevada, Reno Extension: Planting Trees in Northern Nevada Landscapes](https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=2754) (read October 17, 2026) - [International Society of Arboriculture, Trees Are Good: Proper Mulching Techniques](https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Proper%20Mulch%20Tech_0321.pdf) (read October 17, 2026) - [NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information: U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/us-climate-normals) (retrieved October 1, 2026) ### Talk to the office [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243) | Monday to Friday | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm | |---|---| | Saturday and Sunday | Office closed, phones answered | Phones answered seven days a week. 24-hour emergency service. [Free estimate](#quote) ### Keep reading - [Drought stress and dieback](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-guide/drought-stress-and-dieback/) - [How to tell if a tree is dead or dying](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/is-my-tree-dead-or-dying/) - [What happens to the wood and chips after a tree job](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/what-happens-to-wood-and-chips/) - [Arborist consultation](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/arborist-consultation/) - [Snow, rain and temperature normals by weather station](https://battleborntreeservice.com/data/climate-normals-by-station/) - [Northern Nevada tree guide](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-guide/) ### Terms on this page [Arborist](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/arborist/) [Drip line](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/drip-line/) [The full glossary](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/) ## More from the blog Pruning and care October 17, 2026 5 min read ### What should you do with your trees in October in Carson City and Reno? In October, finish watering while the ground is open, look over your trees for dead or hanging limbs, and clear leaves and needles away from the house. Save most live-wood pruning for the dormant seas Pruning and care October 17, 2026 6 min read ### Young trees in new subdivisions: the first ten years A young tree in a new subdivision needs very little pruning in its first two or three years, then steady structural pruning to build one strong central trunk and well-spaced branches. The ISA says tre Removal and equipment October 17, 2026 6 min read ### Where tree debris and green waste go in Reno and Carson City Green waste has a few legitimate homes in our area: the landfill or transfer station if the load is only wood and green waste, a fire district drop-off day or curbside chipping program if you qualify, [All posts](https://battleborntreeservice.com/blog/) ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243). Phones are answered seven days a week. ### How often should I water a mature tree in Reno? Frequency depends on soil, exposure and species, so there is no single schedule. The goal is a soak to 18 inches deep out to the canopy edge during the growing season, then check the soil before repeating. ### How deep should mulch be? UNR Extension says 3 to 4 inches of organic mulch; the ISA says 2 to 4 inches. Keep it off the trunk. ### Can I put plastic under mulch? No. Extension warns that sheet plastic under mulch can kill tree roots. ### Is it better to water near the trunk? No. The roots that take up water are out toward the edge of the canopy. Soak out to that edge.