Tree Irrigation & Hedge Watering Systems

Thick walled polythene drip pipe with dripper spaced every 0.3m at base of hedge

Drip watering systems for hedges and trees

As both trees and hedges require a substantial amount of water to aid establishment, we specify drip irrigation systems as they are highly efficient and allow unobtrusive watering even during daylight hours. Hedges are normally constructed to provide a screen, so it is important to ensure that they establish as quickly.

Drip lines for watering hedges have a single run down the length of the hedge, although for larger hedges, one line of drip irrigation can be laid down each side. Drip lines with a close spacing ensure even watering down the entire length of the hedge. The water supply for the hedge watering system can either use an underground pipe, or for temporary watering during establishment, a hose connection can be used.

Trees and hedges in town watered using drip line irrigation system

Drip watering for trees

Using drip lines for tree irrigation can provide the required amount of water over a much longer time period than hand watering, reducing runoff and ensuring that the water penetrates more deeply into the soil structure to minimise surface level rooting.

A supply pipe will generally bring water to each tree, with a ring of several meters of drip line placed around the base of each tree, normally with a drip line that has a 0.15m dripper spacing. The number of drippers placed around each tree will be proportional to its size, so for any given watering duration, large trees will receive more water than small trees.

Close up image of Metzerplas irrigation dripper

Drip line specification

For reliability it is important to use commercial quality drip lines for watering hedges and trees, rather than consumer grade pipes. Commercial grade drip lines are manufactured to very high specifications, and designed to last 10 years.

Access Irrigation specify drip line manufactured by one of the world’s leading drip irrigation companies. The drip line is commercial grade, with high coefficients of uniformity and highly reliable, self cleaning drip nozzles. All tree irrigation system and hedge watering system designs use pressure compensated nozzles, ensuring that when used to the manufacturer’s specification, the output for each nozzle will always be the same. For smaller projects, drip line and fittings can be ordered online.