Aftercare for Newly Planted Trees

By Daniel And Erin Prendergast
Published on March 16, 2018
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 To help increase the life of a tree planted in an aboveground container, make sure the container is insulated and that there is adequate drainage.
To help increase the life of a tree planted in an aboveground container, make sure the container is insulated and that there is adequate drainage.
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 This young tree is supported by two stakes and loosely tied burlap. It is also aided by a slow-release water bag, which helps the roots grow into the ground.
This young tree is supported by two stakes and loosely tied burlap. It is also aided by a slow-release water bag, which helps the roots grow into the ground.
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Watering long and deep will benefit the growth and health of your tree.
Watering long and deep will benefit the growth and health of your tree.
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If you decide your young tree should be staked, do so only for one year. Although you’ll often see trees staked with wire and rubber, this is not a recommended practice. You should use a biodegradable material, like burlap, instead.
If you decide your young tree should be staked, do so only for one year. Although you’ll often see trees staked with wire and rubber, this is not a recommended practice. You should use a biodegradable material, like burlap, instead.
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A plastic tree guard offers young trees protection from mechanical injury and from mice and rabbits that may damage the trunk and bark.
A plastic tree guard offers young trees protection from mechanical injury and from mice and rabbits that may damage the trunk and bark.
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“The Tree Doctor” by Daniel and Erin Prendergast, explores tree care from planting to removal.
“The Tree Doctor” by Daniel and Erin Prendergast, explores tree care from planting to removal.

The Tree Doctor: A Guide to Tree Care and Maintenance(Firefly, 2017), by Daniel and Erin Prendergast, teaches readers the basics of caring for trees. Learn how to select, plant and care for new trees, diagnose diseases, as well as how to select an arborist for tree removal for the end of a trees’ life. Find this excerpt from Chapter 3, “Planting and Care.”

Care after Planting

Since trees are such a visible part of the landscape, care must be taken to ensure that proper growth conditions are maintained. Trees lose 70 to 95 percent of their root mass when transplanted. It usually takes trans­planted trees one year for every inch of trunk diameter to regenerate their root mass.

Pruning at the time of planting is not recommended and should be limited to deadwood, broken branches and damaged limbs. Corrective pruning activity — such as pruning interfering limbs, poorly spaced limbs and weak crotches — should wait until the tree is established, after one or two growing seasons.

Live Long and Prosper

Help ensure that your trees enjoy a long life by completing the following maintenance tasks:

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