It’s a fact that not every new tree or shrub will survive and thrive. The reasons are varied, but unless roots successfully establish themselves in the surrounding ground, failure is always possible. This is true for both new and transplanted trees, especially in times of hot weather when the earth is dry.

Protecting the investment should be a high priority for any landscaping project as the cost of replacement will be high, whether it involves multiple ornamental trees or simply hedges for boundary screening. Maintaining a proper irrigation regime using a professional root watering system will more than pay for itself. 

Rain Bird has developed a simple, yet highly effective solution with its Root Watering System (RWS). Thousands of openings in its perforated tube construction ensure that vital water, oxygen and nutrients bypass compacted ground and are delivered directly to root systems. Subsurface, deep root horizontal watering and aeration using RWS full circle bubbler technology ensures tree health, promotes faster growth and encourages deeper and broader roots for a stable foundation.  

One or multiple RWS units can be connected by pipe to a valve which in turn is connected to an irrigation controller. This will manage watering programs that can be set for specific frequencies and lengths of time to ensure water is not only delivered correctly, but also carefully managed for conservation. Once the watering cycle is complete an optional check valve can be used to protect the system against backflow. With Rain Bird’s LNK Wifi module, irrigation schedules can be changed remotely using a smartphone or tablet in accordance with weather conditions or as the seasons progress.  

Ready to install as a plug and play solution, RWS comes in three pre-assembled sizes and any combination may be required for different landscapes. These can be specified in accordance with the size and variety of trees and can be added to existing irrigation systems or installed as part of a new one. Smaller RWS units are compatible with Rain Bird’s Dripline system. Installation is fast and easy with the largest RWS unit’s patented basket weave canister construction allowing ground installation to a depth of around one metre.   

From a garden designer’s standpoint, the RWS is unobtrusive at surface level, does not compromise a landscape’s appearance and there is no trip hazard. As roots are encouraged to grow downwards, risk of damage to expensively laid patios and driveways is also minimised.  

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