- Do not remove tree from container or bag until you are ready to place it in the hole and backfill immediately so small roots do not dry out. Cut container or bag away from tree rather than pulling the tree out by the trunk.
- Remember to keep trees watered if there will be a delay in planting them.
- Dig hole wide enough to allow 4-6" clearance around root ball. Dig hole only as deep as root ball. Root ball should be sitting on undisturbed soil, with top of ball slightly above existing grade.
- Backfill loosely (No Tamping). Turn water hose on slowly and push down thru soil to bottom of hole. Allow water to fill to top, forcing out any air pockets.
- Stake or brace tree. Be sure to protect the tree from your staking wire by threading it through a piece of plastic tubing that goes against the tree bark. Remove after one year.
- Apply root stimulator 3 times at 4 week intervals, used strictly according to directions. Do not fertilize the first year. After the first year, apply fertilizer only during the growing season according to directions. Root stimulator is available at Native Shade Tree Farm.
- Keep sucker growth (young shoots sprouting at the base of trunk) removed.
- WATERING ! ! ! The root system of a newly planted tree is limited to a "root ball." It takes time for the root system to reach into the surrounding soil for water and nutrients. The root system can take up to 1-1/2 years to fully establish itself in the surrounding soil, so extra care must be concentrated on the root ball during that time. The objective is to keep the root ball moist, but not saturated in water. Also keep the soil surrounding the root ball as moist as the rootball itself. To determine the proper moisture level, purchase a moisture meter from Native Shade. Insert the moisture meter all the way into the edge of the root ball at several locations to get an accurate reading of moisture content. Maintain the moisture of both the root ball and surrounding soil in the “moist” range on the moisture meter. Some soil types will hold water, and some will drain quicker. Standing water will kill a tree by keeping the roots from absorbing oxygen. On the other hand, letting the tree's root ball dry out will put a tree into shock. The recommended method of watering is use of an Irrigation Bag available from Native Shade. Irrigation bags are designed to properly water a newly planted tree or shrub by slowly and evenly providing deep water saturation directly to the root zone, minimizing run-off and evaporation. You just fill the bag with a water hose as needed and the bag slowly releases the water on the root ball of the tree. If you don’t have irrigation bags, the next best method is a water hose running at a slow trickle placed directly on top of the root ball for 20-30 minutes.
- Watering Frequency: During the first 1-1/2 years, use these temperature guidelines for watering frequency. Adjust accordingly for rainfall.
- 60 degrees - once every ten days
- 70 degrees - once a week
- 80 degrees - twice a week
- 90 degrees and above - three times a week.
This is where you really see an advantage from the irrigation bags. For example, say you have Native Shade install 5 trees for you in January. In July, when the temperatures get really hot, your trees will need to be watered 3 times a week. If you are using a water hose you will need to water the 5 trees for at least 20-30 minutes each three times a week. That translates to 450 minutes or 7.5 hours a week for watering trees. And you have to move the hose every 20-30 minutes in the hottest part of the season. Good Times… Or, you can quickly refill all of the irrigation bags three times a week with your water hose, and go to the lake or whatever it is that you like to do. This may sound minor, but you would be surprised at how many people unintentionally neglect the care of the trees that they just spend hundreds of dollars for because they don’t spend the time to properly care for them. The consistent application of water will allow the tree to thrive and grow rather than just survive. And don’t you want that tree to grow just as fast as it possibly can to provide you with more shade?
During windy conditions, trees will need more water.
- Use a moisture meter inserted all the way into the edge of the root ball at several locations to get an accurate reading of moisture content. Moisture meters are available at Native Shade.
- During the winter, do not let the tree go for an extended period without water. Water every two weeks if there is no rainfall. This watering schedule should continue for 1-1/2 years until the tree has a chance to re-establish its root system.
- Lawn Sprinkler systems will generally penetrate only 4" deep, whereas most root balls are 18" to 24" deep. This is not enough water for your trees to thrive. For this reason, additional water must be applied accordingly with an irrigation bag or water hose.
- Watch for disease symptoms and treat accordingly.
- Call NATIVE SHADE TREE FARM if you have any questions.
- ENJOY YOUR TREES ! ! !
