Sustainability Spotlight - February 2026 - Root Revival: How to Water Trees During a Winter Drought
With the unusually warm and dry weather this winter, your trees are probably thirsty. It may seem odd to pull out a hose in February, especially when most of the state is in drought conditions, but the fact is that trees are vulnerable during long dry periods and can become more susceptible to a host of health concerns without some care from you.
Watering your trees during the winter is easy, and with the warmer days, can give you an excuse to spend some time outside with them. Carrie Tomlinson, the urban and community forestry manager for the Colorado State Forest Service, says that watering planted trees in the winter is a must, especially when there’s about two weeks without snow on the ground.
Check out these watering tips below to give your trees a little drink:
- Try watering 1 to 2 times per month
- Make sure you only water when temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and ideally during the middle of the day to allow the water to infiltrate the soil before nighttime freezes
- Apply water slowly, either with a spray wand or a hose on a low setting
- Water the area under the branches of the trees, in an area called the “drip line” so that the water reaches the roots that need it most
- Use mulch around the tree’s base to retain soil moisture
- Drain and store your hose to protect it from future freezes
Not sure how much to water? In winter, trees should get about 10 gallons of water per inch of tree trunk diameter. If you aren’t sure how to calculate this, another method is to place empty cups around the drip line of the tree while watering (with a sprinkler, spray wand, or other watering device that isn’t a hand-held hose) and when each cup has accumulated half an inch to one inch, you know the watering has been adequate.
Here’s a handy guide from Denver Water on minimum water requirements for trees of all sizes with three examples of watering devices:
