Learning How to Water Your Newly Planted Tree

When you need expert tree advice, look no further than the professionals at VI Tree Service. They are your Vancouver tree servicing company that is here to keep your trees healthy and safe.

A lot of the time when people think of trees, they don’t think of a newly planted tree. They think of the tall, full-grown tree that doesn’t need much care at all other than routine maintenance. However, there was someone at one point in time that took care of that tree so it could grow into the strong and healthy tall tree you think of in your mind. Caring for and watering a newly planted tree is trickier than you might think as well. There are certain guidelines one must follow to ensure the tree grows strong and healthy. Luckily, the experts at VI Tree Service have the knowledge and expertise to keep your newly planted trees alive and well, while also teaching you something in the process.

Continue reading to learn more about how to care for newly planted trees.

Newly Planted Tree Care

In a majority of cases, it takes three growing seasons for a tree to become established. Until that day occurs, how you care for your newly planted tree is vital to its survival. If you don’t take care of the tree it could grow with a lean or a crooked trunk, or it could die as a result.

When a newly planted tree is left to fend for itself, it becomes weakened, which makes it susceptible to pests and diseases. That is why tree care for newly planted trees is so important. Newly planted tree care consists of maintaining a proper balance between things like:

  • Amount of daily sunshine
  • Amount of water
  • Where you water
  • When you water
  • The soil
  • Mulching
  • Fertilizer
  • Pruning

Granted, a new tree doesn’t need a lot of pruning or fertilizer at first. In the first year, the most important part of caring for your tree is understanding how to properly water it; more on this below.

Dealing With the Shock of a Transplant

The sad truth is that many newly planted trees fall prey to transplant shock. It is incredibly easy for a new tree to suffer from this. However, there are ways to prevent it like:

  • Only planting trees native to your region
  • Planting the tree at the proper depth
  • Watering it enough

That said, if your tree is suffering from transplant shock, there are things you can do to try and help the tree recover. Below are some tips to help you deal with transplant shock:

  • Soak the roots with water
    • You’ll want to hydrate the roots with at least one inch of water
    • Maintain moist soil. Don’t let it dry out.
  • Mulching
    • Sometimes mulching around the base of the tree can help protect against transplant shock
    • You want a two to four-inch layer of mulch around the tree’s base that extends out to the outermost leaves
    • Be careful not to pile it too high or too close to the trunk, as this will only worsen the problem.

How, When, and Where to Water

As mentioned above, the single most important aspect of caring for your newly planted tree is to develop a watering practice that is ideal for the tree. It is extremely easy to underwater a tree. Not only that, but you can lose the tree due to root rot if you don’t water in the correct place.

Below are some tips to help you understand how, when, and where to water your newly planted tree:

  • How?
    • When you water your tree, be sure to soak the roots really well
    • You always want breathable soil so the roots have some space to dry out a little
    • Never let them dry out completely
  • When?
    • When you start to notice the soil drying out, your tree wants to be watered again
  • Where?
    • Throughout the first few months, the roots are still in a root ball so you want to water right on top of the trunk to ensure the roots get soaked. After this point, you’ll want to extend your watering away from the trunk and instead water around the base and extend out toward the canopy of the tree.
    • The roots extend wide from the trunk so it’s crucial you continue to accommodate for that growth with your watering

Again, once the tree is established, it no longer needs this vigorous of a watering schedule. In fact, in most regions, the natural weather can take care of watering the tree from that point onward. Only in the hottest and driest parts of the world do trees sometimes need to be watered in their adult life.

The VI Tree Service Difference

VI Tree Service is the tree care company for you because they have over 50 years of experience. You can trust that they have seen it all and can handle any situation you throw at them. Keep the trees and shrubs in your yard safe, strong, and healthy throughout the course of their lives. Call today to schedule your next appointment!