A system for warning of excess water saturation of a root ball includes a lateral network of perforated tubing located below the root ball in a planting pit, connected to vertical tubing containing a shaft and bladder, the shaft's height indicating the water level within the soil of the planting pit. The system may indicate the historical water level and the real-time water level. The system may also contain a sump and may be configured to measure and calculate the percolation rate of the soil.