Tree Montgomery recommends this watering schedule the first six weeks after planting. Weekly schedule Amount of Water Frequency
Weeks 1 and 2
a few gallons
3 times each week
Weeks 3 and 4
a few gallons
2 times each week
Weeks 5 and 6
a few gallons
Once a week
To Stake or Not to Stake? Staking a newly planted tree can have an impact on the overall growth of your tree. It’s important for the roots of a young tree to be able to grow and expand to create a critical root zone. As noted in Chapter 1, tree roots also need to be able to grow easily and become a strong anchor for the tree. When a young tree is staked and there is no slack allowed in the way the arbor tie is connected to the stakes on each side of the tree, the tree will not be able to move when the wind blows. As a young tree moves with the
wind, the roots of the tree respond to the movement and discharge energy for root growth. For this reason, stakes should only be installed when necessary and done in a way that allows the tree to move with a light wind to trigger a healthy growth spurt in its root system. Stakes should be removed after about a year after the tree has been planted. Remove the stakes before the arbor ties connecting the tree to the stakes begin to cut into the bark as the tree trunk
diameter grows outward. Pruning Young Trees
Pruning a young tree can be tricky. It can save you money years down the road if you prune in a way that trains the tree and directs its growth. Or you can over-prune and remove branches that are sources of food and production for the growing tree. As with mature trees, have an objective in mind before you prune a young tree. For
Stake, if needed.
most young trees, a goal is to improve the structure so the tree will be strong and will not interfere with its surroundings. Prune a young tree on an as-needed basis after your tree has been planted and has had time to recover from the stress of being transplanted. You may want to prune only broken or dead branches in the first year or two after the tree is in place. Look at your young tree and find a single or dominant and upward-growing leader trunk. Do not prune back to the leader or allow secondary branches to grow taller than the leader. At times, a young tree will develop a codominant stem that will compete for resources within the tree and weaken its growth. When the tree is still young, you can find the codominant leader and remove or shorten that competing part of the tree trunk. This will give your young tree an advantage in the years ahead. Structural pruning to “train” can enhance the growth pattern of a tree trunk and will improve the health of a young tree. For example, branches should never cross and rub against one another. Structural
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