Trees require a certain amount of sunlight, water, and nutrition. If proper tree care isn’t practiced, they can become unhealthy and even die. Overwatering and underwatering can cause significant amounts of damage. That’s why 4 Seasons Tree Service, of Newburgh, NY, shares some helpful information below about how to make sure your trees have the proper amount of water.

You can easily tell if a tree is overwatered by looking at the leaves. If they are turning a light yellow or a lighter shade of green, that could be a sign they’re absorbing too much water. The leaves will become turgid, which, even if they look healthy, can make them fragile.

With an underwatered tree, you’ll probably see scorched, browned, or yellowed leaves, indicating that not enough water is getting to them. Premature or out-of-season leaf loss is a sign of problems too. If the soil feels hard and dry, you might need to increase your watering schedule for the best tree care.

If there are no obvious signs of overwatering or underwatering, retrieve some soil from about six inches under the tree and ball it in your hand. If the ball is wet, it’s overwatered, and if it’s crumbly, it needs more water. A perfectly watered tree will have soil that’s cool and moist.

If you discover your trees are suffering from overwatering or underwatering, it can be tempting to overcompensate in the opposite direction. If your trees are underwatered, do start watering a little more, but do so gradually. Any sudden change can shock the tree. If the tree is overwatered, cut back on your watering for a week and then recheck the soil. If it’s still too wet, wait another week before resuming a light watering regimen.

If you want an expert’s opinion about proper tree care, contact 4 Seasons Tree Service. They have a hard-working and knowledgeable staff that will keep your property safe and beautiful. They offer great services like tree trimming, pruning, and removal, and they can quickly remove trees and branches that are brought down in storms. Call them today at (845) 565-8600, or visit their website to learn more about tree care.