Caring for Newly Planted Trees
Young trees require special attention if you want them to become long-lived landmarks in your landscape. First, make sure they get proper water. After planting construct double, concentric watering basins. The first should be just outside the rootball and the second about two feet outside that. Fill the inner basin with water to wet the rootball and use the outer one to wet the surrounding soil. Until the roots of the tree extend into the native soil, the inner circle will have to be filled with water most often, possibly more than once a week in hot weather. The outer circle can be filled less often. After the first year the inner circle can be taken down. When you water, make sure the water penetrates the entire rooting area. This means filling a 6- to 8- inch high basin two or three times.
Remove any tightly attached stakes that came with tree from the nursery. If the tree can't stand upright on its own (an unstaked tree develops a stronger trunk) or if it needs protection, pound in two sturdy stakes on opposite sides of trunk but outside the rootball. Secure the trunk to each post with flexible ties (cloth or plastic). The tree should not be tied so tight that it can't sway somewhat in the wind.
If the tree grows poorly or has yellowing foliage, apply a complete fertilizer following the instructions on the label.
To protect young trees from insects, including borers and scale, apply Bayer Advanced™ 12-Month Tree & Shrub Insect Control Concentrate. One application protects for up to 12 months.
Use Bayer Advanced™ or Bayer Advanced™ to fertilize.
Products Mentioned In This Article
Bayer Advanced