remote sites, cisterns, and watering in

The conundrum goes on.
How to remotely water and protect newly planted nut and fruit species?

I am planning to build a small cistern to water in a cluster of nuts, berries and fruit trees that could be reached by a drip irrigation system connected to the near by cistern. The lingering question is how to build a small cistern for fruit and nut trees I would like to establish on the perimeter of the land and in small patches not near the larger cistern.

The other benefit to the clustering is we can build a deer fence around the whole patch, and not around each individual tree in remote locations.

The current idea is somewhat high energy. Place 3 x 55 gallon drums in areas near where these would be planted, let them fill up with water over winter, and once or twice a week hand dip out water during the dry summer to water them in.

The better situation, would be to down size plans and focus only on the cistern, OR better yet try to design a creative automated drip system.

Brainstorms so far:
1. Develop a wicking system that slowly draws water out of the barrels
2. Have the barrels set up on a timer and gravity drip irrigation

Any ideas on how to water in plants in areas not near water sources?