WATERING YOUR NEWLY PLANTED TREE

     The goal with newly planted trees is to keep the ground moist. We do not recommend watering by the calendar (e.g. "every third day") because it depends on soil conditions and weather. When it's hot water will evaporate more quickly; with clay soil water will soak in more slowly; with sandy soil it will dissipate faster.

     We suggest you check the ground often (every day if possible). You should be able to form a soft ball with the dirt a few inches below the surface. When the area starts to dry, use a slow running hose (not a sprinkler system) laid near the trunk of the tree to fill the berm that was created during planting. Build the berm back up when it falls apart. Also, do not put anything on top of the rootball (mulch, flowers, rocks, etc).

     Continue to check the soil often, and water again when the ground starts to dry. You should expect to water more often in the hot summer months, then taper off as the weather cools. Deeper, less frequent waterings are helpful in allowing water to soak down to the roots.

     Winter watering is also important. Plan to water at least once a month during the winter. Snow is not sufficient because one foot of snow equals only one inch of rain.

     Do not fertilize your tree for the first year. Fertilizer stimulates top growth and robs roots of the energy they need to reestablish themselves.

     Remove stakes after one year.

     Trees that get stressed over extended dry periods don't do well for a couple of years. A few hours of care the first year will reward you for many years to come.

 85% - 95% of roots are removed when a tree is dug for transplanting. Therefore, the idea when planting trees is to promote rapid re-growth of roots and to reduce stress imposed by the moving process.

• Do not dig the hole too deep. Keep 2-3 inches of the root ball above ground level. It is best for the tree to sit on undisturbed soil. Do not backfill the hole to raise the tree, as the dirt may settle and allow water to collect that could drown the tree.
• Leave the dirt near the hole, because it will be used to plant the tree and build a berm around the root ball. 
• A saucer-shaped hole dug generously wider than the root ball will allow the root system to grow rapidly before being slowed by original site soil.
  • Maintain oxygen in the soil by leaving the top of the rootball uncovered (no mulch, rocks, grass, etc) and give roots room to grow into un-compacted soil by watering sufficiently.
  • Use a stake on each side of the tree to hold it firmly
  • Space according to tree's growth rate and pattern.
  • Soil varies widely in Colorado, so there is no uniform technique for planting, but:
    • In clay soils the top of the root ball should sit 2"-3" above surrounding grade
    • In sandy soils, 1" above grade

Watch this YouTube video to see how it's done: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oac3rj7mIVw&list=PLh_npWO7v_u_KcTpgD5xltnWZtE1h7zwE&index=4&t=0s