Are you planning to plant a new tree in your yard? You don’t have to be an expert, but make sure you have enough time and you can commit to taking care of the tree. In addition, you should also have the necessary tools needed to help the tree grow healthy.
But don’t worry, the tools you need are regular planting and gardening tools that you may already have.
In terms of guiding the tree to grow, you should know that it isn’t true that once the tree is already on the ground, it doesn’t need to be taken care of. In fact, it’s the time when you need to add extra care so that it can adjust to its new environment.
So if you need more tips on how to take care of your newly planted tree, check the list below!
1. Follow the watering schedule
As part of the adjustment process, the tree needs water as often as possible. However, there’s also such a thing as too much water that can cause the tree to drown.
Normally, newly planted water needs the following watering schedule:
- Daily watering for the first two weeks.
- Every two to three days for weeks three to twelve.
- Weekly for week 13 and moving forward.
In terms of the amount of water, you can start at 1 to 1.5 gallons for every inch of diameter. This is also why you should have a calliper that you can use to measure the increase in the diameter of the tree.
Meanwhile, when watering the tree, avoid using sprinklers as they won’t reach the root system. Instead, you can use a garden hose or drip irrigation system so that the water can reach a deeper level.
2. Observe the overall health and avoid pruning too soon
A newly planted tree is prone to pests and diseases since they are still weak. So as much as possible, keep an eye on the tree, especially if it’s just a few weeks old. If you see a few dead branches and irregular leaf colours, it can be a sign that the tree is sick or not having enough nutrients.
Meanwhile, in terms of pruning, it’s not recommended to do it too soon since your tree needs to reach its full potential before you start pruning. It may take a season or year before you can gradually prune the tree.
However, in some cases like when a branch has been damaged from transporting the tree, it should be removed to avoid gathering bacteria.
3. Establish a suitable environment for the tree
If a tree is planted in a suitable environment, there’s a great chance that it’ll survive. However, a suitable environment for trees doesn’t just grow on their own. Instead, you should be preparing the land by removing weeds and applying mulch around the tree.
Mulching provides a lot of benefits. It prevents fast water evaporation, controls the growth of weeds, and prevents damaging the roots and trunk when removing weeds.
When applying mulch, you can add around 3 inches. Applying too much mulch can also have negative impacts on the tree, including root suffocation, having too wet soil, and creating a shelter for pests and diseases.
4. Think twice before you fertilise
It’s not advisable to fertilise a newly planted tree. And even if it’s been a few years, give the root system some time to reach further before helping it out. In general, adding fertiliser soon enough won’t help the tree at all.
Instead, you can opt to use mulch since it acts as a slow fertiliser that usually doesn’t hard trees and shrubs.
Meanwhile, if you think there’s something wrong with the tree or soil, it’s best to consult an arborist first before making your next move. If not, and you’re not an expert yourself, you might just end up killing the tree and wasting your time.
5. Hire an arborist
As mentioned, consulting an arborist is a must, especially if you don’t have prior experience in tree planting and if you notice some changes in the appearance of the tree.
As you know, an arborist is an expert when it comes to everything tree-related. They have enough knowledge and experience to deal with problems and they can also give tips on how to take care of trees.
And as your tree gets older, it should have regular cheque-ups and pruning. So it’s best if you can hire an arborist to do everything for you. This will guarantee that your tree will grow healthy and tall.
It’s a fun experience to take care of trees, and it also brings a lot of health benefits. We hope this article helps you get started on how to take care of a newly planted tree. Don’t forget to share your experience by leaving a comment below!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Aliana Baraquio is a web content writer working for Sydney Tree Solutions, a company that provides tree removal and arborist services throughout Sydney. As a writer, she is passionate about providing good quality articles that help readers make the right choice.
