Sustaining the New Tree
Mulching benefits by
- Conserves moisture
- Reduces turf grass, weed competition
- Protects from lawnmower, trimmer damage
- Apply over root system out to drip line (branch tips)
- Apply 3-4 inch depth, mulch should not touch trunk of tree
- Bark chips, ground bark, pine needles, compost are best.
Common Mulching Mistakes
- Mulch too deep water does not reach root system
- Volcano mulching (mulch piled up against tree trunk) traps moisture against trunk, encourages fungal activity,results in decay of wood and insect activity, encourages shallow rooting
| Not Correct - Mulch Volcano decay has started due to moisture being trapped on the trunk | Correct- Reduces turf grass, weed competition |
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Watering
- Single most important task
- Watering timetable depends on rainfall received
- Moisture holding capacity of soil
- Drainage characteristics of site
- General rule 1 inch every 7 to 10 days during first growing season
- Inspect once a week to determine if watering is necessary
- Inspect more often during hot, dry weather
- Deep, infrequent watering is best
- Water slowly and lightly
Common Watering Mistakes
- Over watering suffocates root system
- Rapid, frequent watering encourages shallow rooting
- Hard, fast watering causes soil compaction, runoff, water does not reach root system
- Frequent trunk wetting encourages fungal activity, decay
Fertilization
- Not recommended at time of planting
- Research has shown it to be ineffective until tree has re-established its root system
Mycorrhizae
- Naturally occurring in native forest soils
- Beneficial fungi that help tree roots absorb water and nutrients
- Research has shown to have limited benefits
- May be beneficial in poor quality sub-soil where topsoil, organic layers have been removed