Caring For Your Tree

Water

Water is crucial for your tree's survival, particularly during the first year after planting.

• Water your tree when the soil is dry beneath the mulch.  Use at least 5 gallons of water once per week from spring through autumn, and as often as twice a week during hot and dry weather.
• Trickle water onto the soil surface using a hose, or allow water to seep from a bucket with small holes in the bottom.  Watering slowly and deeply is best.

Weed and Clean

Weeds and trash can prevent water from reaching your tree's roots, causing a decline in your tree's health.  Substances like motor oil, de-icing salt, detergent, and urine can kill your tree.

Protect

Tree roots require water and air for survival.  Compacted soil and cemented pits prevent water and air from reaching tree roots.

• Avoid compacting the soil:  don't pile trash, walk, or drive around the tree's roots.
• Never cement over the surface of your tree pit.
• Bark is necessary for protecting the trunk and maintaining tree health.
• Keep car doors, dogs, string trimmers and bicycles away from the trunk to avoid potential bark wounds.
• If you lay bricks or stones around your tree, keep them at least 6 inches away from the trunk and check each year to maintain this space - pavers placed too close can strangle the bark as the trunk gets wider.

Remove Stakes and Straps

Straps left on your tree for longer than a year may cut into the bark and strangle the tree.

• Remove and discard stakes and straps one year after planting.
• On newly planted  trees, prune only to remove broken branches.

Cultivate

Loosening the soil surface around your tree encourages water and air to enter the soil.  Spring is a good time to cultivate the soil around your tree.

• If the soil surface around your tree becomes compacted, loosen the first few inches of soil and break up any large clumps.
• Avoid damaging any large woody roots.

Mulch

Mulch helps conserve water, control weeds, keep roots cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, and prevent soil compaction.

• Maintain a 2-4" layer of mulch around your tree, taking care not to pack it against the trunk.  Recommended mulches include wood chips, composted leaves, and pine needles.
• Always remember to weed and cultivate the soil before mulching.

Plant Flowers

• Plant flowers such as impatiens, begonias, marigolds, and vinca around your tree.
• As flowers wilt in the summer heat, they will remind you to water your tree.