This then just leaves the frequency of watering to be determined. Recommended frequency of watering will vary species to species and location to location. Air temperature, wind, natural rain and the season of the year all enter into the equation.

I continue to recommend what I call the “finger test method” to monitor your tree's water needs. I sell only field grown balled and burlapped trees. As part of the planting process, the burlap on the top of the field soil ball is either rolled back to the edge or removed. As the planting process is finished, the tree is mulched with 3-4 inches of hardwood mulch. Planted in this manner, you, the customer, have easy ability and access to wiggle a finger down through the mulch and into the exact soil ball that the tree's roots are in.

If the soil in the ball you encounter is muddy or very moist to the touch there's no need to water, just back off. If it is only slightly moist, or dry, it's time for a drink. Fill the water bag and provide the full 20 gallons it holds. It won't take long using this method to become proficient in determining the water needs of your new trees.

Caring for Your New Trees

Caring for your new trees care of your newly planted trees mostly involves proper watering, especially the first year. This is not an exact science. A heavy clay soil, possibly irrigated will call for much less, if any need for additional tree watering. A lighter soil, possibly not irrigated, will require more watering of the new trees, than the example above. There are also all soil conditions in between to consider as well.

I do highly recommend the gator bag or a similar water bag device for watering your deciduous (leaf) trees. This method quantifies the amount of water you were putting on the tree each time you fill it. Most hold about 20 gallons.

If you have any further questions concerning the care of your new trees, contacting me sooner than later will help a lot in keeping your tree healthy and GROWING forward

These are all photos from

my growers' nurseries