FRESHLY PLANTED TREE & SHRUB CARE INSTRUCTIONS

WATERING YOUR NEW TREES & SHRUBS

Regular irrigation after planting encourages rapid root development, for tree establishment.

Recently planted trees and shrubs establish most quickly with light, frequent irrigation. For recently planted trees, primary water extraction is from the root ball and the root ball can become dry in just a day. Larger volumes of water applied infrequently will not compensate for the need for frequent, light irrigation. Drought-tolerant species are not drought-tolerant until the root system becomes established.

When watering non-established trees, check the soil frequently, and water according to need. The soil could be dry in the root ball and wet in the backfill, or wet in the root ball and dry in the backfill. The best way to know the watering needs of non-established trees is to check soil moisture levels. A useful tool for the home gardener is a houseplant water meter. While somewhat inaccurate, it can indicate wet or dry.

General watering guidelines. Specific watering requirements are dependent on your climate and soil type, temperature, wind and the size of your tree. General watering instructions are 1-2 gallons of water per inch trunk caliper to the root ball every 2-3 days as the root ball loses moisture after replanting. It is better to water more frequently in lighter amounts than less frequently in heavier amounts.

It is difficult to determine if a tree needs water simply by looking at it, or solely by following a watering schedule. To determine if your tree needs watering, take a slender screwdriver and poke it into the soil in several places around the tree, both inside and outside the dripline (where the canopy extends). If the screwdriver can easily penetrate the soil to a depth of six to eight inches, there is no need to apply water. If you struggle to penetrate the soil to a depth of six to eight inches, your tree needs water.

MULCHING TREES

Mulch to Protect Tree from Lawnmowers, Weed Eaters, and Grass Competition

Wood/bark-chip mulch is highly recommended on newly planted trees. The mulch protects the trees from lawn mower and weed eater injury. Trees with a mulch ring typically have 20% more early growth compared to trees where grass grows up to the trunk. This is due to the lack of competition with the grass and/or weeds.

In a landscape setting, the mulch ring is typically two to four feet wide up to the width of the drip line (spread of branches). Wood chip mulch three to four inches deep gives better weed control and prevents additional soil compaction by foot traffic.

On newly planted trees, do not mulch over the root ball. On established trees, keep mulch back six inches from the trunk. Never pile wood/bark chips up against the trunk. Wet chips can lead to bark decay. Never make mulch volcanoes! On wet sites, mulching may help hold excessive soil moisture and may be undesirable. On open windy sites, wood/bark-chip mulch blows away.