Basic Tree Care
Newly planted trees - those planted within the past the three years - need regular water and care to grow strong.
Caring for trees is a small investment with a high return. Trees lower home utility costs, boost property values, and make neighborhoods more livable. Healthy trees are also less likely to fall on personal property such as homes or cars during storms.
A few simple steps can help ensure trees on and surrounding your property stay healthy.
Watering:
Trees are living things and need water to survive. 25 to Stay Alive is an easy way to remember that trees require 25 gallons of water - approximately 1.5" of rainfall - per week to stay healthy.
Apply water slowly. This prevents wasteful runoff and allows for the soil and roots to absorb the water.
Watering trees is easy. To make watering even easier, use one of the following techniques:
- Turn on a hose on low for a 1/2 hour at the base of the tree.
- Place a 5-gallon bucket with holes in the bottom at the base of your tree. Fill the bucket up five days a week.
- Add a 25-gallon Ooze Tube or Gator Bag to the base of your tree. Fill it up just once a week A short video showing how to install and fill an Ooze Tube is in the right sidebar.
Pledge to water your trees and receive a complimentary rain gauge. District residents only.
Mulching:
Mulch keeps soil most and helps control weeds naturally. Adding mulch around the base of your trees should be part of your tree care program.
When mulching:
- Use shredded bark or leaf compost.
- Apply using the 3-3-3 rule - 3 inches of mulch in a 3 foot ring with a 3 inch space around the tree trunk.
- Replenish each year.
- Avoid volcano mulching.
Yard Maintenance:
Weed trimmers and lawn mowers kill hundreds of trees every year by tearing off their bark inhibiting the flow of water and nutrients up the stem.
Avoid hitting the bottom of the tree with these tools by maintaining a 3 inch protective ring of mulch around your trees to protect and/or put on a plastic guard on the base of tree when trimming weeds or cutting grass next to a tree.
Tree Care and Planting Instruction Resources
- 25 to Stay Alive
- Basic Tree Care
- How to Install and Use an Ooze Tube (video)
- Planting a Tree
- Tree Species: A Short List
- Other resources
