When we get calls from people about struggling young trees, we can often trace the issues back to what happened, or didn’t, immediately after planting. They’re either under or overloved. For young trees, not enough attention can leave trees stressed, but too much attention can create an entirely different set of problems.
The secret? A few simple consistent practices that create balance and the conditions for a newly planted tree to thrive.
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If you’ve been following along, we’ve recently shared blogs on choosing the right tree, proper tree siting, and how to properly plant a tree, so we’d be remiss if we didn’t discuss what happens next.
Once you get the tree in the ground, there’s still more work to do and what happens in the coming days, weeks, months and years will have a direct impact on whether your new tree survives, or thrives.
Unfortunately, there are two issues we often see with newly planted trees. The first is that they’re unintentionally neglected. What does that look like? From inconsistent watering to being left to struggle through heat, drought, soil issues, and changing weather conditions, some trees are planted and then forgotten.
The other problem is trees that are, quite literally, loved to death. Too much water, excessive fertilizer, constant adjustments, and mulch against the trunk, are all cases where right idea, wrong execution. Young trees need balance.
Even if you start with a tree that has dense, fibrous, and healthy roots, like ours, which are grown in air pots, the move from pot to ground is still a major transition and trees have to work to establish roots that grow beyond the original root ball. They also have to adjust to a new microclimate.
Above ground, all might look great, but below ground, healthy roots are working to develop, expand, and anchor the tree into the surrounding soil. The period after planting is critical, and tree establishment takes time and proper care. There are a few tips and tricks to help your tree thrive.
Watering, both too much and too little, is a problem we see often. Many young trees struggle from neglect or overwatering.
The truth is, newly planted trees need consistent moisture while healthy roots establish. And yet, saturated soil limits oxygen around the roots and, instead of encouraging growth, can stress the tree.
The goal, instead, should be a deep, consistent water, which does not mean daily. So, how often should you water a newly planted tree?
That answer depends on a few factors, including:
Tip: Use a drip hose and slow the water flow to allow for deep absorption. Do this 2-3x a week, max. Once the tree is established, drop to once a week.
It’s also important to check the soil before watering. While the surrounding soil, landscaping beds, or turf may appear watered, the root ball of a young tree may dry out more quickly.
When checking the soil, aim for a few inches below the surface. Consistently wet or muddy soil around the root may indicate overwatering, whereas dry soil at that depth may lead to wilting or scorched leaves that drop early.
Remember, the name of the game here is balance. There’s some give in the middle ranges, but the extremes of too much or not enough water can be deadly to a young tree. Proper watering is one of the biggest factors in whether a tree establishes well, develops strong and healthy roots, and grows strong and stable. This is especially true for fall planting and winter watering.
When we go out into the woods, something we probably don’t think about, though we likely notice it, is that there’s rarely grass (never a lawn) and often, in dense forests, no bare soil either. Instead, the root zone is often protected by layers of organic material, which not only helps regulate moisture and temperature but will also eventually feed the soil.
In managed landscapes and urban plantings, we want to mimic this as closely as we can. That means doing two things: removing grass ( it will compete with a young tree for nutrients) and mulching to help the newly planted tree retain moisture.
Proper mulching reduces evaporation, helping keep soil moist and consistent during watering cycles. Multiple factors can dry out shallow soil around a new tree quickly, so mulching is incredibly helpful when dealing with issues like hot summer temps, dry periods and drought, or high wind exposure.
Proper mulching also helps:
So how much mulch? What kind of mulch? How do I apply it?
All good questions.
We recommend 2-4 inches of organic mulch. Whether that’s woodchips, shredded bark, or arborist mulch, keep it natural (avoid dyed mulch or non-organic materials.
As for how to apply it, avoid the dreaded mulch volcanoes where mulch gets piled high against the trunk. Too much mulch can trap moisture, encouraging decay or reducing oxygen around the root flare. Instead, spread the mulch in a wide, even ring, leaving the area around the trunk exposed. Think of a donut more than a volcano.
Additionally, because roots extend outward quickly after planting, a wider ring of mulch can help reduce competition from grass and other plants and give the tree room to grow and establish its roots.
When we plant, often our first thought is to do everything we can to protect the tree and help it grow strong. However, improper or unnecessary staking can actually slow root development and weaken a tree over time.
In short, not every new tree needs staking. So when do you stake?
Young or new trees may benefit from staking if:
And, of course, proper staking is essential. Staking isn’t about locking a tree in place. Instead, a properly staked tree should have a little give and move slightly in the wind.
That little bit of movement is what the tree needs to develop trunk strength and encourage healthy root development, allowing it to anchor in the nearby soil. If you stake it too tightly, it relies on the stake, rather than its own strength.
When it’s determined that a young tree would benefit from staking:
Much like watering and mulching, any time you stake it should be with long-term tree healthy in mind.
Let’s start with what fertilizer is designed to do and that’s help canopy growth. For that reason, most newly planted or young trees do not need heavy fertilizer application. The priority, early on, should be helping the tree establish in its new environment and expand its roots into the surrounding soil.
Heavy fertilizing can drive canopy growth too early and put stress on a tree, forcing it to focus energy on the canopy rather than the roots. In fact, overfertilizing can create problems like weak growth, increased stress, weak root development or root burn, and increase susceptibility to pests and tree diseases.
That said, there are some very specific conditions under which fertilizing may be beneficial. In cases where soil is low quality, nutrient deficient, or severely compacted, slow-release fertilizer or other soil amendments may be necessary.
A word of caution: just as exercise cannot make up for poor nutrition or an unhealthy diet, fertilizer is not a substitute for proper watering, mulching, site preparation, or incorrect planting. It is not a quick fix and, in some cases, may create more problems.
Know that trees that are first able to establish healthy roots translates to long-term growth, resiliency, and strong canopy development.
Often, the most important parts of caring for young trees start well before the tree is even in your hands. No amount of care in the planting or establishment process can make up for low-quality stock.
Working with a wholesale or retail tree nursery that provides high-quality stock is essential. That means healthy, dense, fibrous root balls, and that’s where SuperTrees come in. We use air pot technology to ensure that when our trees get to you, they’ve got a strong start and are ready to establish quickly once in the ground.
And, once it’s in the ground, that’s where proper tree care is needed to protect your investment. Consistent watering, proper mulching, thoughtful staking, and avoiding some of the mistakes we’ve noted all play an essential role in a successful transition from pot to landscape.
Whether you’re planting in your yard, managed landscape, or an urban forest, healthy roots are the goal, and the starting point.
If you’re looking for healthy young trees with strong starts and expert support, then we’re here to help. From selecting the right tree and the right place, our high-quality nursery stock gives you a head start on successful establishment and thriving trees.
Reach out to our wholesale team or start at our retail nursery in Riverton, Utah, and let’s get growing!