Have you ever noticed how trees do a lot more than provide shade on a hot summer day? They offer some residents improved curb appeal since these towering structures perfectly accent houses and buildings. Others take advantage of their fruit-bearing abilities, but whatever your reason for having them, you’ll need to know the best practices for caring for and watering newly planted trees.
Below, our reputable tree service company in Shalimar, FL, explains the next steps after your tree is firmly in the ground. With over 25 years of industry experience, we can provide professional tree care whenever you need an expert’s touch.
Completing the Perfect Environment by Mulching
After you’ve dug a deep enough hole to securely bury all roots while leaving the root ball slightly exposed, you may think all that’s left is regularly watering newly planted trees. However, you’re not done with the groundwork just yet.
Mulching, whether with leaves and grass clippings or small stones and bricks, bars soil erosion, keeps the soil warm during colder climates, and helps with water retention.
If you’re adding this mix, do so in moderation since volcano mulching creates an overly cool and damp area that promotes root rot and introduces pests, fungi, bacteria, and disease. All you need is 2 to 3 inches of mulch lining the tree’s drip zone, which is usually up to 6 inches from the trunk’s base for younger saplings. Afterward, simply add another inch annually to keep your tree healthy and providing your property with shade and other benefits.
Watering With the Right Frequency and Techniques
Like with mulch, don’t add too much or too little water. Ideally, you should water your tree every other day for the first two weeks, but always keep in mind soil moisture since saplings like to dry out between waterings. Afterward, water at least twice a week, especially in a hotter climate like Shalimar, providing the root ball with 15 gallons of water weekly.
When watering newly planted trees, ensure the water doesn’t touch the developing trunk by carefully watering with a drip irrigation system or hose rather than a sprinkler. However, irrigation techniques change with tree establishment. After the first year, water the tree weekly until it matures, after which you can then water it monthly.
Other Things To Consider
Root development should happen quickly with this watering schedule, but some other things to consider include:
- Staking a wobbling or bending sapling for no more than the first year or two
- Applying a slow-release fertilizer annually in the spring or fall (only after the roots become established about three years down the line)
- Pruning only when necessary, such as with dead or broken branches
Call Us for Decades of Combined Experience!
Watering newly planted trees can be an exciting and fun feat, but without knowing what you’re doing, it quickly becomes a long and uneventful journey that leaves you with more heartache than happiness. For further tips or professional tree care from our ISA-certified arborists, contact us. Call Backridge Tree Service today at (850) 240-2829 to schedule a service in Shalimar, Florida!