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Watering Your Young Tree The goal is moist soil as far as 8 to 12 inches below the surface

For the first three years, young trees •need weekly watering from mid-April to mid-October.

Probe your soil 8 to 12 inches below the •surface before watering. If the soil feels moist and sticky, allow it to dry for several more days before watering. If the soil feels dry and crumbly, water deeply once a week.

Water deeply by setting your hose on a slow •trickle for several hours at the base of the tree or use a soaker hose around the tree. On average, your tree will need 15 gallons of water per week.

Remember that lawn watering will not replace •the need to deeply water young trees.

These tips will help you care for your trees in their

first three years of life. For more information, visit

www.sactree.com or call (916) 924-TREE (8733).

© 2010


Selecting and Siting Your Young Tree Planting the right tree in the right place

Knowing the type of soil, water needs, and •eventual size of the tree will help you select the best tree for your yard.

Deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves) •will help cool your home in the summer and allow the sun to warm it in the winter. Planting the right tree in the right place can deliver up to 30% in summer energy savings.

Site your tree where the tree can grow to its •full size. Plant at least 8 feet from sidewalks and driveways, 15 feet from home foundations and swimming pools, and 6 feet from fences.

If you plant more than one tree, make sure •they are sited far enough apart to allow full growth of both trees. Trees should be placed 12 to 30 feet apart depending on their ultimate size.


Planting Your Young Tree Dig the hole 4 feet wide and 8 to 10 inches deep

Remove grass and weeds in a 4-foot-wide circle. •

Dig your hole 4 feet wide and 8 to10 inches •deep. Score the sides of the hole so the hole is not smooth.

Dig an additional 8 inches of soil around the •edge to create a solid 12-inch-wide pedestal in the center of the hole.

Remove the entire root ball from the container. •Thoroughly loosen and extend side and bottom roots from the root ball. Cut any roots circling the root ball with a sharp tool.

Place the root ball on the pedestal so the root •crown (where the trunk meets the roots) is about 1½ to 2 inches above the surrounding ground level.

Place the existing soil back in the hole. •Do not place grass or weeds in the hole. When backfilling the hole, avoid air pockets by lightly tamping, but don’t compact the soil. Refill the hole only up to the top of the root ball.

Water your newly planted tree deeply •after planting.

Visit www.sactree.com for more advice.•


Supporting Your Young Tree Staking and tying

After planting your tree, remove the nursery •stake, which is the thin pole tied to the tree.

If the tree cannot stand upright by itself, •support it by placing two stakes at least 18 inches from both sides of the trunk. Locate where the trunk bends, place one tie around the trunk, bring the tie back toward the stake and cross the tie to form a figure eight, and then secure the tie to the stake. Repeat on the other side at the same level.

Cut off the stakes 2 inches above the ties to •avoid damaging the tree.

Check the ties monthly. Remove the stakes and •ties as soon as the tree is able to stand upright on its own—usually within 6 months to a year. Staking too long slows tree growth.


Placing Mulch Around Your Young Tree 4 feet in diameter, 4 inches from the trunk, and 6 inches deep

Remember the 4x4x6 rule: spread mulch in •a 4-foot diameter around your tree, 4 inches away from the trunk, and 6 inches deep.

Mulch will keep soil temperatures cool, retain •water, and discourage weeds. It will slowly decompose and should be replenished as needed during the first three growing years.

Fertilizer is not recommended at planting time. •Trees come with enough fertilizer from the nursery, and over time mulch will provide new nutrients to the tree.

Avoid using “weed and feed” fertilizers. They •contain herbicides that can damage or kill young trees.


Protecting Your Young Tree Keeping young tree trunks out of harm’s way

Do not use weed trimmers or lawn mowers •near the base of young trees. Hand-pull weeds instead. When the thin bark of young trees is injured, the bark may split and die back. This can cause disease, unwanted pests, and the sun to scald the bark, resulting in decay or death.

To keep your young tree trunk out of harm’s •way, spread mulch in a 4-foot diameter around your tree, 4 inches away from the trunk, and 6 inches deep. The mulch will keep soil temperatures cool, retain water, and discourage weeds.


Pruning Your Young Tree Keeping your tree in good shape is key

Prune back dead, broken, or crossing •branches and root suckers growing up from the base of the tree anytime. Root suckers are often a sign of tree stress. Consult your local nursery or find a certified arborist at www.treesaregood.org to determine the cause of root suckers.

Leave lower branches on young trees during •the first two years to encourage tree growth and prevent the sun from scalding the trunk.

Begin shaping your tree two years after •planting. Pruning is best done during the winter months. Do not remove more than 25% of the tree’s live branches at any one time.

As your young tree matures, maintain the •central leader (main vertical stem). Thin out narrowly spaced branches. This allows good tree structure and promotes healthy growth. Visit www.arborday.org for a complete pruning guide.


Winter The season to prune your tree December, January, February

Pruning is best done during the winter months. •Begin shaping your tree two years after planting. Do not remove more than 25% of the tree’s live branches at any one time.

As your young tree matures, maintain the •central leader (main vertical stem). Thin out narrowly spaced branches. This allows good tree structure and promotes healthy growth. Visit www.arborday.org for a complete pruning guide.

Remove weeds and add mulch. Make sure the •mulch is 4 feet in diameter around your tree, 4 inches away from the trunk, and 6 inches deep.

Check the stakes and ties. If your tree can •stand on its own, remove them. If they are still needed, be sure the stakes are firmly in the ground and placed away from the trunk. Make sure the ties are wrapped loosely around the tree and tied firmly to the stake to allow the tree to move.

Do not let water pool around the base •of the tree. If needed, dig a trench to drain water away from the trunk.


Summer The season to regularly water your tree June, July, auguST

Probe your soil 8 to 12 inches below the surface •before watering. If the soil feels moist, allow it to dry for several more days. If the soil feels dry and crumbly, water deeply once a week.

Water deeply by setting your hose on a slow •trickle for several hours at the base of the tree or use a soaker hose around the tree.


Do not use a weed trimmer or lawn mower •near the base of young trees. They can injure and even kill your tree.


Delay major pruning until winter. •Remove dead, broken, or crossing branches and root suckers growing up from the base of the tree anytime.


Spring The season to spruce up your tree march, aPril, may



Avoid pruning when new buds are coming out. •It is best to prune in the winter months.

Check for problems with your tree, such •as yellow or spotted leaves, pests, or other diseases. Consult your local nursery or find a certified arborist at www.treesaregood.org for help with any problems you may find.

Start watering your tree when the soil feels dry •and crumbly 8 to 12 inches below the surface. Water deeply once a week.

Early spring is a good time to plant •new trees. Be sure the soil isn’t too wet. It should feel slightly crumbly without excess moisture when you squeeze it.


Fall The best season to plant your tree SePTember, OcTOber, nOvember

October and November are the best months to •plant trees. Roots get a great start in cooler soil.

Water when the soil feels dry and crumbly. •Decrease watering as the weather cools.


Check the stakes and ties. If your tree can •stand on its own, remove them. If they are still needed, be sure the stakes are firmly in the ground and placed away from the trunk. Make sure the ties are wrapped loosely on the tree and tied firmly to the stake to allow the tree to move.

Avoid pruning in the fall. It is best to prune in •the winter months.

watering your young tree - sacramento tree foundation tree tips.pdf · the season to spruce up your...

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