Tree Essentials...

Water
Providing supplemental water is very important in order to get new trees established. Trees need a half-inch to an inch of water every week, with the greater amount being needed in the hot summer months. When natural rainfall drops below that amount, start giving the tree some water. A good rule of thumb to follow is 5 gallons of water per week for every inch of stem caliper (trunk diameter measured 6 inches from the ground on young trees). Don’t just rely on lawn sprinkling to provide adequate water to your young trees - it usually does not water deeply enough.

In Dallas, heavy clay soil is very common. It is possible to over-water trees and other plants growing in clay soil. Before giving water, dig down into the soil three or four inches to see if it is dry.

Water quality is another concern. Water that is high in sodium can burn the foliage, and minerals can build up in the soil if there has been little rain. Water your trees deeply, but less frequently than you would water turf. Avoid spraying water on the leaves if your water contains excessive amounts of sodium.

Mulch
Keeping a layer of organic mulch over the root zone of your tree is at least as important as providing water. Mulch will prevent competition between your tree’s roots and the roots of grass or weeds. Mulch prevents summer soil temperatures from becoming lethal to tree roots. Nutrients leach from the mulch into the soil.

Experts recommend a layer of organic mulch three to four inches thick over the entire root zone of the tree. Mulch should be pulled away from the trunk so that it does not cause the tree’s bark to decay. Wood chips, composted yard waste, or shredded bark all work very well.

Weed Control
Lawn mowers and string trimmers are the leading cause of death for young trees. Lawn equipment will cut through soft bark in an instant, destroying the tree supply lines. Trunk wounds are easily invaded by decay, and the tree quickly loses its ability to feed itself. Minor wounds may eventually close, but repeated damage will surely kill the tree.

Mulch will inhibit some weed growth, but weeds and grass will have to be controlled to keep mowers and trimmers away. Contact herbicides (like Roundup or Kleen-up) work well, but one must be very careful to avoid spraying the tree’s leaves or soft bark tissue. These herbicides have no soil activity, so they will not negatively affect tree roots. Other options for controlling weeds include pulling them by hand and/or using landscape fabric under the mulch.

 

 

Publication text from the Texas Forest Service