How Often To Water Trees And Shrubs Planted In Decomposed Granite

Question From: D. Howerton - CALIFORNIA
Q: How do you water purple leaf plum trees and other shrubs in decomposed granite type of soil (how often particularly). Does the soil drain quicker than other typical types of soil? Do I need to water next to the tree trunks or on the outer rims. I haven't found any answers for this type of soil watering and all my trees and shrubs are either dying or leaves turning yellow or scorched. All trees and shrubs are well established, not new. Please help!

A:

Deb, I can't help you with this one. I suggest you contact a certified arborist in your area and have him/her do an onsite inspection of your trees and shrubs (you can find a certified arborist here: http://www.isa-arbor.com/faca/findArborist.aspx). Decomposted granite will drain water away very quickly and an arborist will tell you what to do to counter act the problem. I live in Michigan and have no experience with that type of soil. Best Nancy