FS786

Fact sheet
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Six Ways to Keep Your Newly Planted Tree Alive and Healthy
James Nichnadowicz, Union County 4-H Agent

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Quench your trees thirst.

Once a week, your tree needs a deep watering. If you dont receive enough rain, use your hose. A slow trickle for an hour, over the whole root area, will suffice.

Dont tread on it.

Tree roots need air, water, and open space in the soil. Driving over the soil, or lots of foot traffic, will collapse the open space in the soil, blocking a good flow of air and water to the roots.

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Give it room to grow.

The ties that connect the tree stakes to your tree can be removed after one year. Leave the stakes in to protect the tree from mowers.

Mulch.
A 3-inch layer of wood chips, over the planting site, will prevent weeds from invading and will eliminate the need to mow closely to the tree. Weeds and lawn grass roots rob the tree roots of nutrients.

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Protect the bark.

Scraping or cutting your trees bark may allow pests to attack it. Be extra careful when using weedeaters and lawn mowers near your tree.

Keep the soil clean.

Weedkillers and excess fertilizer can harm your trees roots. Read your labels carefully before spraying or feeding.

2004 by Rutgers Cooperative Research & Extension, NJAES, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Desktop publishing by Rutgers-Cook College Resource Center Revised: October 1999

RUTGERS COOPERATIVE RESEARCH & EXTENSION N.J. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY NEW BRUNSWICK
Distributed in cooperation with U.S. Department of Agriculture in furtherance of the Acts of Congress on May 8 and June 30, 1914. Rutgers Cooperative Extension works in agriculture, family and community health sciences, and 4-H youth development. Dr. Karyn Malinowski, Director of Extension. Rutgers Cooperative Research & Extension provides information and educational services to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Rutgers Cooperative Research & Extension is an Equal Opportunity Program Provider and Employer.