Live Oak Leaf Drop After Container Life: Deep Watering and Mulch

15-year-old live oaks in Louisiana, but only in-ground 2 years (12 years in 100-gal pots). Hot, dry summer. Watering often but dropping leaves heavily.

Solution

1. Deep water: 1 inch every 3 days (pan/sprinkler) unless rain pattern establishes.
2. Mulch: 3" organic (pine straw) not on trunk — holds root moisture.

Container-to-ground transition + extreme heat = high water demand. Deep watering meets it.