Planting a new tree is a big deal, especially if it’s your first time planting one. Now that you’ve planted a tree, you’ll want to carry on with specific tips to help care for it and provide it with a strong foundation for future growth.
These care tips from your local tree service in Falls Church, VA, will help you learn how to care for newly planted trees, strengthening your tree and making sure that it grows healthy and strong for many years to come.
5 Tips to Help You Care for Newly Planted Trees
Watering
The most important thing you can do when thinking about how to care for newly planted trees is to water them well.
If the soil around your trees is dry, they will not be able to absorb enough nutrients and water to grow. This is particularly vital in maintaining a healthy root system, where trees get nutrients. It is also important to keep the soil moist until the tree roots in the root ball establish themselves. This will help prevent the evaporation of moisture, which can cause the roots to dry out and die.
When watering trees, ensure that you water deep enough (8 to 12 inches) using a soaker hose attachment. Give your tree at least 2 to 3 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter daily. Then, water every after day from week 3 to week 12. After 12 weeks, provide only one dose of water per week until the tree establishes its roots.
Fertilizing
Fertilize your newly planted trees once every spring, summer, and fall with a slow-release fertilizer for trees that encourages root growth and helps develop a strong tree trunk and branches. Fertilizing your new trees also helps them grow strong roots and establish themselves in their new home.
Pruning
Pruning is essential for young trees, especially if you want them to grow in a certain shape or direction; however, it’s important not to overdo it — young trees require less pruning than older ones. If you’re unsure whether or not your tree needs pruning, consult with an arborist before taking action!
Staking or Tying Down Branches
Planting a new tree can be an exciting time! However, one of the most important things to consider in how to care for newly planted trees is the strong winds or storms that occur during their first few weeks of life. Adverse weather may cause branches to break off due to their lack of strength during this critical period of growth.
Staking a new tree is one of the most important steps in its care. Staking helps it establish a strong, healthy root system and will help it grow straight and tall. You can also use tree wrap to protect the tree during frost periods.
Mulching
Mulching around your newly planted tree can help it retain water and keep the soil moist during dry periods, which in turn helps the tree establish itself more quickly.
Mulching will also help prevent weeds from growing and keep moisture in the soil longer, so you don’t have to water as often. You can mulch with grass clippings or wood chips; just make sure they’re organic, so they don’t harm the tree roots.
Contact Us for More Tree Care tips in Church Falls, VA
Do you need assistance caring for newly planted trees and shrubs? Contact the arborists at Dos Amigos Tree Experts for an assessment.
We can assess your tree’s health and help you create a plan to ensure that it stays healthy. Contact us at (703) 300-6103 to learn more about how to care for newly planted trees. We can also help you learn how to prepare new trees for storms to ensure that they survive any adverse weather to come.
