WATERING
Your New Tree
Watering the tree regularly during the first year is critical to its establishment.
It is not recommended to water with lawn sprinklers alone as the water will not get down to the roots. It is important to dig in your planting area in the next couple months to check if there is enough moisture or not. The best method to water your new tree is to use the “slow soak” method. Watering with the “slow soak” method once a week will deep water your tree and get it off to a great start.
To use this method, place your hose on the soil of your tree. Slowly run water on low pressure for 45 minutes so that the water can seep into the planted tree.
Trees can be lost due to overwatering as well. To check your tree’s moisture, dig 6-7 inches down and make a ball out of the soil. Bounce the ball in the palm of your hand a few times. If the ball falls apart by the third bounce, you will need to water. If the ball stays together, wait a day or two and check again. Most plants like to have a drink of water when the top 3-5 inches of soil dries. Most plants will do better if allowed to thirst a bit before having a good drink!
Staking
Your New Tree
Staking is a practice used to anchor, support, and protect recently planted trees. This process can help a tree establish itself when done correctly. Staking should be done if the tree is exposed to high winds on a regular basis, is in areas of high traffic, is not standing straight, and/or if the tree’s root ball moves in the soil when you hold the trunk and gently move it back and forth.
We offer staking as an added service if needed. Our professional staff will assess the tree after it has been transplanted and decide the best course of action. Ask us about this service!
Mulching
Mulching is a must!
Mulching with wood chips helps retain soil moisture, reduce weeds, and protect the tree from lawn mowers and string trimmers. As mulch decomposes, it enriches the soil and provides organic matter and beneficial microorganisms.
When mulching, apply 2-3 inches of material at a 6 foot diameter around your tree. Keep the mulch away from the tree trunk a few inches to avoid trunk rot.
Transplant Shock
of Your Tree
Transplant shock is a term used to describe stresses that can occur in newly transplanted trees. Trees might experience transplant shock in the form of yellowing leaves, leaf drop, and wilting. You may have one or a combination of these.
Root stimulator can help reduce these symptoms. To learn more about how we can help, check out Melad Tree Farm’s Tree Care Package!
WEEDS
AND HERBICIDES
It is important to keep the area around your tree free of weeds and other competing plants. Use wood chip mulch to suppress the weeds and remove them by hand when possible. Avoid the use of herbicides near the tree as certain formulations may seriously injure or kill it. If you do decide to use herbicides, avoid getting any on the leaves, branches, trunk or near the area where tree roots are growing. Remember when treating that the tree roots extend well beyond the perimeter of the outermost branches!
