Are My Hemlock Trees Being Overwatered

Question From: New Jersey, United States
Q: I HAVE 19 HEMLOCKS IN A ROW THAT ARE ABOUT 10 FEET HIGH IN FRONT, 12 FEET IN BACK AND ABOUT 5FEET WIDE , THEY ARE 40 YEARS OLD, THEY TOOK A BEATING HERE THIS WINTER IN NW NJ, DUE TO THE HEAVY SNOW BRINGING THE TOPS FAR DOWN. BUT THIS IS MY QUESTION, I HAVE A SPRINLER SYSTEM THAT COVERS THEM BECAUSE OF THE CLOSENESS NEXT TO MY GRASS. THEY GET WATER DAILY FOR ABOUT 25 MINUTES. IS THIS TO MUCH WATER FOR THEM AT THIS TIME. I HEARD HEMLOCKS LOVE WATER AND IT IS VERY HARD TO OVER WATER THEM. YOUR OPINION PLEASE THANK YOU MR. FALCONE

A: Richie, I have no way of knowing how much water your irrigation system puts out. Set out cat food cans, tuna cans -- whatever, along the line and measure the depth of water accumulated after the 25 minutes. Check each emitter as they often vary by quite a bit. The type of soil also makes difference. Hemlocks like organic rich moist soil. If they have grown to 40 feet they must be happy where they are. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy.