What is the best way to ensure newly planted trees will survive?
A. Trees usually take at least three years to get established, which means they need some care during this time period. In the absence of regular rainfall (during the summer months and winter droughts), a newly planted tree will need about 10 gallons of water per week. This can be achieved by using 5 gallon buckets or placing your hose at a very low volume (a trickle) at the base of the tree for a couple of hours. Also, it is important to make sure that there is enough mulch around the base of the tree. You should try to have about 3-4 inches of mulch for at least a 2 foot radius around the base of the tree; add more mulch as it decomposes to maintain the proper depth; keep the mulch two inches away from the trunk of the tree so that it does not cause the base of the trunk to rot. Mulch provides nutrients, suppresses weeds and, most importantly, acts as a “moisture trap,” keeping the soil beneath it moist.
