Trees and Shrubs Planting and Watering Guidelines
How to Plant and Water Trees and Shrubs
Planting Guidelines
HOW MUCH WATER?
No matter how drought tolerant, native or hardy a tree is, all young trees must be watered regularly 1-3 times per week until they become established (2+ years).
A standard rule of thumb to use for watering: I gallon per 25mm caliper width i.e.: 50mm tree would require approximately 6 gallons of water/week. A thorough soaking along the root zone several times a week is much better than a spray or light/ infrequent waterings.
WEEDS WEEDS WEEDS!
Weeds can compete for water and nutrients in the rooting zone of your young tree, restricting its growth. We recommend maintaining a 2-3ft diam- eter weed free area around the trunk of your tree. Bark mulch or artificial mulch rings are great to help with weed reduction.
FERTILIZER
Adding compost or other organic matter at time of planting is beneficial. Application of root development fertilizer also is a great idea to help your tree become established.
We recommend COUNTRYSIDE Root Fertilizer 10-30-10 to aid in root development. Bone or kelp meal can also be added to soil.
MULCH IS A GOOD THING!
Mulch is woody organic matter that acts a blanket to hold moisture and moderate soil temperature extremes. Especially helpful during our chinook weather and temperature fluctuations. Mulch also keeps weed growth down and helps maintain moisture levels. A 2″ to 4″ application is ideal. When placing mulch take care not to cover the trunk as this may cause decay. Pull back mulch at least 3-4 inches from the trunk of your tree after application of mulch.
Don't Forget
Protect your newly planted trees and shrubs from animals and human damage. Plastic expanding tree wraps or tree rings are ideal for protection against tree enemies. Deer and other furry creatures can also be deterred by Plantskydd or Bobbex which can be found in our De Winton store. Weed trimmers and mowers should be kept far away from trees and shrubs to avoid trunk damage.
Watering Guidelines
Trees and shrubs may not survive transplant shock due to receiving too much or not enough water. Here are some tips on proper watering techniques
NEWLY PLANTED TREES & SHRUBS
Water at Time of Planting
Water your newly planted trees and shrubs immediately after planting. A slow thorough watering is best.
For the first month we recommend watering new trees 1-3 times a week. Turn hose on to a slow trickle for 4-5 hours at a time to maximize absorption. Increase watering during heat waves and decrease during excessive rains. A rain shower is not typically enough to get water down to the root system of the plant so make sure to keep watering at these times.
Watering Trees in the First Year
After the first month, a weekly soaking of approximately 20 gallons of water should be sufficient for newly planted trees a/large shrubs. Larger basketed trees will need more water. Second and third growing seasons: Continue to water your new plants every 7-14 days if it doesn’t rain or soil is dry. As roots establish root zones will widen and watering area will expand. Water should be soaking into the ground at least 8-10 inches.
The key to watering trees well is to provide a slow volume of water that can readily soak into the ground and be absorbed by the plant.
