water. But pay close attention to the directions on the gator bag. There are pros and cons as to their use. xv Make sure you keep the bag filled as it empties. ● Use 2” to 4” of organic mulch at the base of the newly planted tree, but not right at the stem of the tree. Do not create a mulch volcano. See the previous section of this guide on mulching. It applies to both established trees and young trees. ● Protect the young trunk. The smallest wound on the trunk of a young tree can cause permanent damage. Trunk guards can be purchased at a nursery, online or made at home. ● Staking a young tree can help but is not always necessary. Stake the tree if the root base is unsteady or if the tree is bending. If you decide to stake, drive two stakes into the ground with a stake driver or rubber mallet. Tie the tree trunk to the stakes loosely with arbor tie, wide nylon, canvas straps or old nylon stockings. Make sure you remove the stakes when they are no longer needed. Keep reading for tips on staking your tree. Watering a Young Tree Watering helps a young tree establish a healthy root system and start growing. The first two to three years after a new tree is planted can determine the long-term health and viability of the tree. Newly planted trees need extra water during hot, dry summer months. If you have slow-draining soil, you should check your new tree weekly. Remember the approximate size of the root ball or container and water the root ball/container just beyond that circumference.
Give your new trees 25 gallons of water every week from March to November. This will help your trees flourish and grow. Check out the details on the Tree Montgomery website for different methods to provide water efficiently. There are several methods you can use to water young trees effectively, but generally a method that releases water slowly one to two feet from the root flare is best. For watering reminders, including a video tutorial, you can sign up at Reforest Montgomery. Options include leaving a hose on a trickle or using a slow-release watering bag. Choose one that’s most convenient for you. If it rains enough to soak the ground, you can skip the next watering.
Frequency of watering can also depend on the uptake of water from soil. You can check the soil six inches from the surface to get a sense of how well the soil drains. Soil type and weather conditions will always influence the demand for water. Although a tree will always appreciate regular watering, you can begin to phase out the regular watering schedule about three to five years after planting. An inexpensive way to set your tree up for slow water release is the homemade bucket slow- release method covered in Chapter 2. Using a slow-draining watering method can be as simple as purchasing a gator bag from a nursery or hardware store. Image: Hilda Weges/Dreamstime.com
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