Deep Drip Tree Watering Stakes

A quick guide to installing your stakes for deep root watering.

Step 1: Position the Stake
Place the stake just inside the "dripline" of the tree (the outer edge of the tree's canopy). Do not install the stake directly against the trunk of the tree.

Step 2: Drive it into the Soil
Remove the slotted cap. Using a sledgehammer or rubber mallet, drive the open shaft of the stake straight into the ground. Leave the top 1 to 2 inches of the stake exposed above the soil line.

Step 3: Route the Irrigation
Replace the cap. Route a 1/4-inch micro tubing line from your mainline and push the end of the tubing through the slot in the cap so it drips directly down into the shaft.

Step 4: Add Fertilizer (Optional)
To easily feed your plants, remove the cap and drop water-soluble fertilizer granules or spikes directly into the hollow shaft before running your irrigation cycle.

As I plant new fruit trees this spring, which size Deep Drip Tree Watering Stake should I use?
For spring saplings, rose bushes, and small shrubs, use the 14-inch Deep Drip Tree Watering Stake. For average-sized fruit trees or established shade trees, use the 24-inch stake.

Matching the length of the stake to the size of the plant ensures the water is delivered exactly to the bottom of the current root mass, encouraging it to stretch further down.

How many Deep Drip Tree Watering Stakes do I need per tree?
For small shrubs and saplings, use one to two Deep Drip Tree Watering Stakes. For larger, established trees, install two to three stakes spaced evenly around the tree's dripline.

Even spacing around the canopy edge ensures the roots grow radially in all directions, which gives the tree a stable, balanced anchor against heavy winds.

Can I use standard drip emitters with the Deep Drip Tree Watering Stakes?
Yes, you can easily use standard point-source emitters with the Deep Drip Tree Watering Stakes. Simply connect 1/4-inch micro tubing to your mainline and place an emitter right at the slotted cap.

We highly recommend using a pressure-compensating emitter (like a Woodpecker or Woodpecker Jr.) so you can exactly measure how many gallons per hour are being delivered deep into the root zone.

Do the Deep Drip Tree Watering Stakes prevent damage to concrete sidewalks?
Yes, the Deep Drip Tree Watering Stakes help prevent sidewalk damage. By delivering water deep underground, they train tree roots to grow downward rather than horizontally along the surface.

Standard surface drip emitters keep the top layer of soil moist, encouraging roots to stay shallow. Shallow roots dry out faster in summer and easily lift adjacent hardscapes.