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How much water does an arborvitae need?

Author

Gabriel Cooper

Updated on March 08, 2026

How much water does an arborvitae need?

Arborvitae need enough water to keep the well-drained soil around them moist; 10 gallons (37.85 liters) of water per inch of the tree’s diameter is recommended for established trees.

How do I know if my arborvitae is overwatered?

Signs of Overwatering Trees

  1. The area around the tree is constantly wet.
  2. New growth withers before it’s fully grown or becomes light green or yellow.
  3. Leaves appear green but are fragile and break easily.

Can you overwater an arborvitae tree?

When established, Arborvitae will tolerate periods of dry weather. That said, they prefer a consistently moist soil when establishing themselves. They do not like overly dry sites or constantly soggy or wet soil, which can lead to root rot and other harmful plant diseases. So be careful not to over-water them.

How often should you water emerald green arborvitae?

every three to five days
An Emerald Green Arborvitae requires little care other than watering and pruning. Water a newly planted tree every three to five days during the growing season, applying the water evenly over the root zone at a rate of 10 gallons of water per inch of the trunk’s width.

How much water is too much for arborvitae?

Arborvitae will tolerate a moister soil than many evergreens, but they will “drown” if kept overly wet. Generally, the idea for newly planted shrubs is to water more often at the very beginning and then decrease it gradually so that watering about every five days to once a week is usually enough.

What does overwatering look like?

Stunted slow growth accompanied by yellowing leaves is also a symptom. Leaves falling off often accompanies this symptom. If your plants have yellowing leaves and old leaves, as well as new leaves that are falling at the same accelerated rate, you are overwatering.

How do you save a Overwatered arborvitae?

If you see that a tree is overwatered, just stop watering it temporarily. Give it about a week or so, depending on the severity of the accumulated water, and simply let it dry out. Before you water it again, do the screwdriver test, and only water the tree where it needs it.

How do I know if my arborvitae is dying?

Here are a few ways to tell if your arborvitae is dying.

  1. 1 – The Bark Turns Brittle and Brown and Starts Cracking.
  2. 2 – Lack of Healthy Leaves.
  3. 3 – Excessive Amounts of Deadwood.
  4. 4 – Fungus and Pests.
  5. 5 – Foot Damage.
  6. 6 – Scratch Test.

Why are my newly planted arborvitae turning brown?

If a newly planted arborvitae develops brown leaves or twigs, the most likely cause is transplant shock, a condition that’s caused by loss of roots when the plant was dug up — it can last a year or two and might kill the plant if it’s severe.

Why are my arborvitae drooping?

Winter Damage Some evergreens are prone to drooping because of the weight of excessive snow and ice on their branches, which can damage the trees. Species like arborvitae are particularly susceptible, but you can minimize droop and damage by taking precautions in the fall, or when snow is forecast.

Can plants recover from overwatering?

There is never a guarantee that your plant can bounce back from overwatering. If your plant is going to survive, you will see results within a week or so. It’s important to water your plants properly from the start and to make sure they have plenty of drainage.

How do you fix overwatering?

Steps to fix an overwatered plant:

  1. Stop watering your plant temporarily and improve drainage.
  2. Identify and treat root rot immediately.
  3. Consider changing the pot and soil to promote better drainage and faster soil drying.
  4. Provide increased ventilation and temperatures, and lower humidity.