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It’s easy to assume that your newly planted trees will take care of themselves. After all, you likely relied on tree care experts to select the best trees for your environment and give them the best start to life.
While expert help can allow your trees to thrive, they aren’t guaranteed to reach their full potential without ongoing care. Their future is in your hands, so consider the following information to secure their future on your property.
Know Their Moisture Requirements
You might think that you can simply water your trees (and plants) on a schedule. There’s no denying it can be easier to remember to water trees if you stick to a routine, but those set times aren’t always when they need it the most.
Use a moisture meter to gauge soil moisture and water accordingly. Most potted plants in 15cm-wide containers generally need water when the top 5cm of soil is dry. Larger 20-25cm-wide containers generally need water when you notice that the top 1.25-2.5cm of soil is dry.
If you’re trying to take care of trees in your garden, insert a trowel into the soil and tilt it to check the moisture content. Soil should be damp to the root zone, approximately 15-30cm. Water sandy soil down to 5-10cm.
Every plant is different, so their watering requirements can also vary. Be sure to research what your plant prefers – such as dry soil for succulents and moist soil for pokaka trees. Finally, avoid watering during the heat of the day between 10am to 6pm.
Water With Care
Now that you know when to water your plants, you can master the art of watering your new trees. For at least the first few months after planting, your tree’s roots will be in their original root ball, and it can take some time for the roots to start growing beyond it. As a result, you’ll need to keep the root ball and surrounding soil evenly moist to encourage those roots to grow.
You can then expand your watering zone and water the whole area under the canopy. This might be a process you keep up for at least two or more growing seasons, which is often how long it takes for a tree to become established.
Don’t Forget Mulch
Water is undoubtedly vital for your newly planted trees, but don’t forget about mulch! Mulch can ensure grass doesn’t grow beneath your trees, intercepting their much-needed water supply.
Maintain a sizeable turf-free circle around the trunk with a 5-7cm layer of organic mulch with materials like shredded bark and pine straw to minimise weed growth and retain moisture. Avoid piling mulch around the tree trunk, as this can lead to rot.
Mulch mimics the forest floor and releases nutrients for the trees to absorb as it breaks down. Wood mulch also works as a food source for fungi, which has a symbiotic relationship with tree root systems.
Use Effective Microorganisms (EM)
You don’t have to be an expert in tree aftercare to take care of your trees with advanced techniques. You simply need to do your research. We recommend effective microorganisms (EM), a unique composition of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi.
EM is a popular system in agriculture, horticulture, and environmental management, and has many benefits for the average garden, such as:
- Better root structure
- Reduced odours
- Better fertiliser input
- Improved organic matter breakdown
- Faster composting
- Better soil fertility
- Improved flower bloom and yields
- Better pest and disease resistance
Take Care Of Your Tools
Most homeowners have a wide range of tools for weed removal, digging, pruning, and trimming. Make sure these are in tip-top shape.
Always disinfect them regularly to prevent disease and pest transmission. Fortunately, this process is as easy as cleaning the tools to remove dirt and tree spraying on a suitable disinfectant product, such as 70% isopropyl alcohol.
Don’t Neglect Pruning
There’s more to newly planted tree aftercare than watering and mulching. You also need to undertake pruning to ensure they’re healthy, safe, and, of course, aesthetically pleasing! Undertake dead wooding to remove dead, dying, diseased, weak, or crowded branches. You might also try thinning or crown care pruning to increase air movement and light penetration in the trees’ crowns.
If you have obstacles like vehicles, buildings, and pedestrians, consider removing lower branches to ensure adequate clearance. It’s also essential to consider reduction pruning if you want to manage tree size or reshape your trees. If you’re not confident with any of these tasks, tree care experts are always available to offer assistance.
Get Expert Help From Pro Climb
Newly planted tree aftercare can be a significant learning curve, and you likely have many questions. Don’t be afraid to ask them! Give your new trees the best start to life by inquiring about our range of helpful tree services today. We want to see your trees thrive just as much as you do.
FAQs
What’s the best way to water newly planted trees?
Keep the root ball and surrounding soil moist, especially during the first few months after planting. Gradually expand your watering zone as the tree grows.
Why is mulch important for my trees?
Mulch helps retain moisture, prevent weed growth, and mimics the natural forest floor, providing nutrients to the trees as it breaks down.
