Apply the water to the root ball and the planting area, not to the trunk. Use an open garden hose or a tree watering bag (such as Treegator). Water every 2-3 days and give each plant at least 10-15 gallons of water per week. Does it look like a telephone pole sticking out of the ground, or can you see the area at the base of the trunk where it starts to widen, just above the top of the roots? We call this widening of the trunk, and it is important that the widening of the trunk is above ground level.
If it is buried, the tree will have many problems. Keep in mind that, in many cases, a tree purchased in a container or with balls and burlap will have the trunk flare buried, so you will have to uncover it before planting. Continue watering at this rate until the tree is established (usually well into autumn). Check the soil around your tree (under the mulch layer) between irrigations.
You want it to be damp, but not soaked. A tree needs 10 gallons of water per week for every inch of tree diameter. So, for example, a 2-inch wide sapling will need 20 gallons of water each week. Long and deep watering is better than short and frequent watering.
If you use a soaking hose or a slow drip system, this means at least 2 hours of watering each time. The best option is to remove the grass around a tree (it will make it easier to cut the lawn anyway) and put a layer of organic mulch. To reap the many benefits of mulch, be sure to place it at a distance of 3 to 4 inches from the tree trunk. Any mulch that touches your tree can severely damage it by encouraging rot and facilitating pest attack.
Spread the mulch to a maximum depth of 2 to 4 inches; this is NOT a case of “more, better”. Can be used up to 6 inches around trees, as long as it is not stacked in a volcano) Most of the time, a newly planted tree does not need to be nailed. But, if for some reason you do, be sure to remove bets after one year (two maximum). Allow the tree to grow for at least a full season before considering any corrective pruning.
The tree will need all the energy it can get (from photosynthesis in the leaves) to help it develop a strong root structure. Water gradually less often until, at about five weeks, you give the tree water every seven to 14 days. Continue this for the first few years. The best irrigation system for a newly planted tree is the soak or drip hose.
It should be placed in concentric circles around the root zone of the tree. Be careful not to place the soaking hose too close to the trunk, as you want the ROOTS to get water, NOT the trunk. If the trunk of the tree is constantly wet, diseases, fungi and other harmful pathogens can enter the trunk of the tree. The duration of watering depends mainly on the season.
For newly planted trees, water is the key to successful tree growth and care. Roots cannot grow without it, and healthy root development makes or interrupts the transition of a tree from the nursery to the landscape. What should you know about watering new trees? How to mulch a tree? The mulch is ideal for the health and aesthetics of trees. Once you learn some tips about mulching grass and master where to apply it.
You may be used to seeing trees surrounded by grass or flowers, so you may be tempted to follow suit. When you plant new trees in your yard, it is very important to give young trees excellent cultural care. Despite what you've seen in local parks, your mulch should never look like a volcano heaped around the tree trunk. If you can water with a soaking hose or a slow drip, give the tree a minimum of two hours of water.
Significant pruning of trees in the middle of the growing season may limit their growth potential next year. Stakes left in place for too long will prevent the tree from establishing a safe root system, developing the proper shape and being able to withstand winds. Watering trees is a key part of tree care, but it is difficult to recommend an exact amount due to the variety of climates. Fertilization is usually not necessary for a newly transplanted tree because the root systems are not yet developed enough to make the most of it.
After the first few years, the tree will be installed in its new environment and will need less care, but it is always good to check it from time to time. It is important to eliminate minor defects of branches at the time of planting, but to delay further pruning of young trees for at least a year. We recommend not fertilizing the tree for the first few years, since the roots need time to stretch and establish themselves first. If the tree grows poorly (foliage yellowish and there is no new growth), apply a complete fertilizer following the instructions on the label.
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