Watering

Though a mature tree does not need supplemental water, it can take up to three years for a newly-planted tree to produce enough roots so that it can absorb enough water during normal periods to survive dry periods. You will help your tree by supplementing the water that Mother Nature provides. Most trees require 1 – 1.5 inches of rain per week – that is more than we typically get in a week, so you should get in the habit of providing water to your tree.

How do you know when you have watered enough? As a rough guide, you should aim to add the equivalent of two 5-gallon buckets per week. Best would be to do this in two sessions – for example, 5 gallons of water midweek and another 5 gallons on the weekend. Be gentle, adding the water slowly and making sure not to scour or disturb the soil and roots. A heavy rain may be enough to skip a watering period, but light rains and brief storms are usually not enough.

Water most weeks from the spring to the first freeze in December.

Mulching

Adding mulch at the base of a tree can help reduce weeds, retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperatures, and provide nutrients from decomposing materials. A ring of mulch also helps to prevent bark and root damage from weed-whackers and lawn mowers.

Apply and maintain a layer of 1 – 2 inches of mulch in a ring around the base of your tree. Don’t build up a “volcano” of mulch in a cone around the base of the trunk – see figure. Instead, shape the existing soil or mulch at the base of the tree into a ridge that encircles the entire tree, as if you are creating a “moat” around the tree. Keep the ridge circle about 1–2 feet away from the trunk. This will also aid with watering, as the ridge will act as a barrier to keep water pooled at the base of the tree.