Quick tree care tips

Water

Watering your tree is critical to its health, survival and growth rate. If you have irrigation installed for your turf, it will not provide adequate water for your new tree. Instead, less frequent (1–2 times per week), deep watering (6–8 inches soil moisture) will help ensure your new tree establishes and stays healthy. Read more about watering your trees.

Mulch

Shredded wood-based mulch protects trees from lawn mower and weed whip damage and conserves soil moisture for trees and shrubs. This is especially important because as soil temperatures rise, more water is lost from the soil. Mulch is crucial during summer and times of drought when water is a limiting factor for growth. Researchers have found trees have more fibrous roots and faster growth rates when surrounded by mulch, as compared to grass. Mulch should be applied 2–3 inches deep and kept a few inches from the tree trunk; it should never be piled against it. Good mulching should create a “bowl” around the tree trunk, not a “volcano.” Keep an eye on your mulch each year, you should use a rake to loosen it each spring and add more as it breaks down. Learn more about proper mulching techniques and other information about wood mulch.

Tree protection

If you frequently see deer in your yard, you should keep hardware cloth or a plastic tree guard on your tree from mid August to April. If you choose a tree guard, be sure to remove it in the spring in order to discourage borers and allow the tree trunk to capture light and photosynthesize. Hardware cloth may be left on all year, but check it in the spring to ensure the tree hasn’t outgrown it. Learn more about tree protection.

Pruning

You should avoid pruning the first year a tree is planted. During this time, the young tree will need all the “sugar making factories” it has—the branches and leaves. After the first year, you should look at the tree’s structure and start formative pruning. It is critical that you prune during the first 15 years after a tree is planted to ensure strong branch structure. Late winter is the best time to prune trees, but it is acceptable to prune from November–March in Minnesota. Avoid pruning during the spring and summer to avoid stressing the tree and creating openings for diseases and insects. Remove no more than 25% of a tree’s living canopy each time you prune in order to avoid stress to the tree. Learn more about pruning.

Fertilizing

You should avoid fertilizing the first year a tree is planted. Many soils do not need additional fertilization, but could benefit from a wood based mulch or compost. Soil in a residential yard is altered at the time a home is built, often removing organic material and compacting the soil. Compacted soil makes it hard for roots to grow, making it harder for a tree to establish. Compost and mulch introduce or provide food for microorganisms in the soil which can help break up soil, making it easier for tree roots to grow and expand. If you believe you may need to fertilize, try an inexpensive soil test first.