Many certified arborists will agree that proper watering is the most important application for a newly planted tree to become established in its new environment. Proper watering depends on the current seasonal temperatures and natural moisture levels, as well as soil type and drainage, as too much or too little can impact growth dramatically.
For newly planted trees in fall, watering should be deep and slow while saturating the entire root zone. Wood mulch (in a layer no more than two inches thick) can help the soil retain much of that moisture by decreasing evaporation and insulating the fragile roots during cooler months.
When the leaves fall off, and the newly planted tree enters dormancy, plan on watering around five to ten minutes several times a week when temperatures are above 40 degrees with a standard garden hose at medium pressure. This might seem like a short amount of time, but the cooler temperatures and shorter days ensure adequate watering is reached. Never water when temperatures are hovering around freezing as the water has less opportunity to penetrate the soil into the roots.
Soaker hoses (or drip hoses) are ideal for watering newly planted trees in fall as they provide a deep, slow watering. They should be placed in circles around the tree’s root zone but not too close to the trunk. A constantly moist trunk is a breeding ground for disease and fungus and prevents roots from extending out. As soaker hoses are slow-release watering, they should be run for approximately an hour several times a week to penetrate the root system properly.
Another solution to help your newly planted trees in fall is SavATree’s ArborKelp® treatment. ArborKelp is an organic tree care compound that improves soil structure, which ultimately allows better absorption of nutrients and much-needed water – helping to increase the survival rate of your newly planted tree during stress conditions such as harsh winters.
ArborKelp, which is made from seaweed, is 100% natural and is created to be a sustainable tree service.
Contact SavATree today to learn more about our ArborKelp application and how it can help your trees year-round.
