what do you do with newly planted trees

Care of Newly-Planted Trees

• Watering. Consistent and appropriate watering is one of the most important things you need to do to help a newly-planted...
• Mulching. To help conserve moisture, place 2 to 4 inches of mulch, such as wood chips or shredded bark, around trees.
• Fertilization. It is generally not necessary to fertilize newly planted trees. Most Iowa soils can...

Full Answer

What do you put around a newly planted tree?

Place about three inches of organic matter such as shredded leaves, or ground bark or wood mulch around the plant, at least out to the drip line. Further is better. Mulch helps retain much-needed moisture and helps keep roots cooler near the surface—a very important requirement for newly installed plants.

How do I take care of newly planted trees?

Newly planted trees are under stress due to their new environment, so they’ll need extra love and care! Proper watering is essential to bringing moisture and oxygen to your trees’ roots.

How do you mulch around a tree or shrub?

Apply a 3-inch layer of organic mulch around newly planted trees and shrubs in a circle that extends several feet beyond the tree or shrub canopy. Mulching around newly planted trees and shrubs with organic materials (wood chips, pine needles, etc.) has several advantages over bare soil cultivation. Decreases water evaporation from soil.

How to plant a new tree?

1. Prepare the proper planting hole. When preparing any hole for planting, make it two to three times wider than the current root mass but never deeper than the plant was growing in its previous environment. With trees, an even better guide is to look for the flare of the trunknear the soil level.

What to do after planting a new tree?

Here are a few key points to remember:Keep the root ball moist, but not soaked. ... Apply the water over the root ball and the planting area, not on the trunk. ... Use an open-ended garden hose or tree watering bag (such as Treegator).Water every 2-3 days and give each plant at least 10-15 gallons of water per week.More items...

How long does it take a newly planted tree to establish?

1-2 yearsA newly planted tree may take 1-2 years to become established. Larger container stock trees may take longer to become established than smaller stock. Established trees: Don't irrigate the area directly adjacent to the trunk - this can increase the risk of disease.

Do Newly planted trees need fertilizer?

Do newly planted trees and shrubs need fertilizer? In most landscapes, healthy trees and shrubs do not require fertilizers, especially when they reach their mature size. It is not recommended to fertilize at planting time.

Should I water a newly planted tree every day?

Newly planted trees or shrubs require more frequent watering than established trees and shrubs. They should be watered at planting time and at these intervals: 1-2 weeks after planting, water daily. 3-12 weeks after planting, water every 2 to 3 days.

Can you overwater a newly planted tree?

Once planted, a tree needs the right amount of water to establish its roots and begin a long and healthy life. Too little water and the tree will wilt and die, but too much water can drown the roots and kill the tree just as easily.

Is Miracle Grow good for newly planted trees?

Ensure that the fertilizer has at least 50% slow release Nitrogen. Spread fertilizer around tree at the drip line or at the outer edge of the root ball. Fertilize in early April - June. You can also use a liquid fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro and Mir-Acid for evergreens.

How long are trees in shock after planting?

Transplant shock can last from two weeks to five years, depending on the plant or tree you're growing. This can cause temporary stagnation of growth or flower and fruit production. The longer the transplant shock remains, the higher the chances of the plant dying.

What is the best fertilizer for newly planted trees?

A complete fertilizer, such as 16-4-8, 12-6-6 or 12-4-8, is generally recommended, unless the soil test reveals that phosphorus and potassium are adequate. Two kinds of fertilizers are available: fast-release and slow-release.

How long does it take for a plant to recover from transplant shock?

Recovery time may vary from plant to plant. It depends on the age, type of the transplanted plant, soil type, and climatic condition of the planted location. In the seedlings stage, it will take up to 2-3 weeks, but in matured plants or trees, it will take up to years.

How can you tell if a newly planted tree has enough water?

For a new tree, sample dirt at the base of the tree and for an established tree, test the root zone. Get a pinch of dirt (be sure that it is dirt and not mulch) and roll it around between your fingers. If it sticks together, there is enough moisture. If it is dry and crumbly, it is time to water.

How long does it take a transplanted tree to recover?

Experts agree that a newly planted tree typically needs one year for each inch in diameter of the trunk to regain a normal root system. For example, a three-inch diameter newly planted tree will need at least three years in the ground to become fully established.

How do you speed up tree growth?

Actually, by pushing too much fertilizer, you are forcing your tree to focus on top growth, not a strong, healthy, supportive root system. By mulching trees and giving them supplemental water when needed, you will be giving them a big advantage, creating healthier trees that grow faster.

What to look for when planting a new tree?

You should make a habit of inspecting your new tree for red flags. Here’s what to look out for: Leaf color: Yellow leaves, or brown leaves outside of the fall season. Also, look for white or black spots or coating on leaves.

How thick should mulch be for a tree?

. This can lead to wood decay, rot and eventual failure of the tree. Second, create a mulch layer that’s about 2-to-4 inches thick.

What does it mean when a tree peels?

Peeling bark: Bits of bark that are hanging off the tree or that have fallen off completely. If your tree is showing any of these signs, ask a certified arborist to inspect the tree and discuss proper plant health care to get your tree back to tip-top shape.

Can a tree have multiple branches?

In a tree’s early years, it’s not uncommon for multiple branches to compete for the “leader” position, i.e, the tree’s main trunk. In the long run, this tendency can actually make trees weaker. But, by using correct pruning techniques from the start, trees will get the foundation they need to thrive for years to come.

Do young trees need hydration?

It’s no surprise that young trees need hydration. What’s not always clear is how often to water new trees.

Does fertilizer help trees?

The soil in our yards doesn’t always have the nutrients trees need to stay healthy. That’s where fertilizer comes in. It provides trees with the necessary minerals and nutrients that are missing from yard soil.

How long does it take for tree and shrub roots to establish?

Newly planted shrubs are considered established when their root spread equals the spread of the above-ground canopy. In Minnesota, this will take one to two years.

How to grow a tree in Minnesota?

Apply water directly over the root ball. Be sure to keep the backfill soil in the planting hole moist. This encourages the roots to expand beyond the root ball into the backfill soil. Tree roots grow approximately 18 inches per year in Minnesota, so expand the area being watered over time.

What is the root system of a tree?

Root systems of trees and shrubs, whether bare root, balled and burlapped, or in a container, are severely reduced or restricted. After planting, root systems will grow and establish until they are much wider than the above ground portion of the plant.

How to make a water reservoir for a plant?

Create a water reservoir by making a circular mound of earth 3 to 4 inches high around the plant at the edge of the root ball. Use a slow trickle of water to fill the reservoir to allow water to slowly infiltrate into and around the root ball.

How to measure a tree caliper?

Trunk caliper at planting time can be used to determine the time it takes for roots to establish. Find the caliper of your tree: Measure the trunk diameter at 6 inches above the ground for diameters up to 4 inches.

Where to start mulching on a root ball?

Leave the top of the root ball bare and start the mulch application at the outer edge of the root ball.

Do new trees need water?

Newly planted trees or shrubs require more frequent watering than established trees and shrubs. They should be watered at planting time and at these intervals:

How to prepare a tree for planting?

When preparing any hole for planting, make it two to three times wider than the current root mass but never deeper than the plant was growing in its previous environment. With trees, an even better guide is to look for the flare of the trunknear the soil level.

When to Fertilize Trees and Shrubs?

Once you know your trees and shrubs have taken to their new environment through successful establishment, you can now begin a fertilization routine to help feed your plants. But I don’t suggest fertilization until then. Otherwise, you’re putting undue stress on plants that don’t need to be exerting extra energy to put on new growth. Instead, until established, my opinion is that all energy should be concentrated on root development and basic establishment. Remember, you have to walk before you can run.

How to get rid of air pockets in plants?

Eliminate air pockets. Be sure to lightly tamp or hand-pack the soil around the plant roots to ensure good soil to root contact. I add water to the hole after backfilling half way. Not only does it provide needed moisture but also the water helps eliminate air pockets that could otherwise result in dead roots.

Why do plants need to be established in the fall?

Secondly, above ground, the cooler air is kinder to plant foliage and reduces the chances of an energy zapping chain reaction throughout the rest of the plant. Beneath the surface, soil temperatures are still warm which provides an excellent environment to stimulate and foster new root growth.Collectively, it’s the cooler air and warm soil temperatures of autumn that make for the best combination for establishment. If you plant in fall, in most, but not all cases, they should be well-established by next summer.

How long does it take to water a tree after planting?

The most important job you will have after planting is to keep plants and trees well-watered until established. This can take weeks to months to even a year ! Since installing over 200 trees and shrubs in my landscape this fall, I’ve watered every plant every day (here in Atlanta) for about the first two weeks.

How to break up clumpy soil?

Water again thoroughly once all the soil is in place. I like to use a hose-end nozzle or wand that delivers a strong blast of water to break up clumpy soil and allow new soil to fill in and settle into those vacated air pockets.

How many steps are needed to plant a tree?

The Right Way to Plant Trees and Shrubs - Seven Steps to Ensure Success. In my experience, there are seven key steps to ensure full establishment of newly planted trees and shrubs. And fall is the absolute very best time to get them in the ground. Simply stated, if you want to give your plants the best chance of establishing in ...

What to do when new tree is planted?

The most important thing is to keep an eye on your new tree. As with anything that’s been newly planted, watch for insect or disease problems (which are more common when the plant is stressed, such as when it’s been transplanted) and make sure the soil isn’t settling or the roots popping up.

How to keep a new tree healthy?

The most important thing is to keep an eye on your new tree. As with anything that’s been newly planted, watch for insect or disease problems (which are more common when the plant is stressed, such as when it’s been transplanted) and make sure the soil isn’t settling or the roots popping up.

Why mulch a tree?

Mulch is great at retaining moisture, adding organic nutrients to the soil, and regulating the soil temperature. It also stops weeds from sprouting and ensures that you won’t accidentally injure your newly-planted tree with a string trimmer or mower.

What is the best way to remove grass from a tree?

The best option is to remove the grass around a tree (it will make lawn mowing much easier anyway) and to put down a layer of organic mulch. Good choices for mulch include: Leaf litter/leaf mulch.

How much water does a tree need?

A tree needs 10 gallons of water per week for each inch of diameter of the tree. So, for instance, a 2-inch wide sapling will need 20 gallons of water each week.

Why do trees have problems?

Many of the tree problems that we, as arborists, encounter stem from the wrong tree being planted in the wrong place.

Do you need to stake a newly planted tree?

Most often, a newly-planted tree won’t need to be staked. But, if for some reason it does, be sure to remove the stakes after a year (two at the most). Stakes that are left in place too long will prevent the tree from establishing a secure root system, developing the proper form and being able to withstand winds.