Seedling tree PLANTING instructions
Below are some articles on successful seedling planting.
We have also included a link with great pictorial instructions to follow as well.
3 Tips for Caring for Newly Planted Seedlings
Information from blog.davey.com.
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1) WATER! Newly planted trees are under stress due to their new environment, so they'll need extra love and care! Proper watering is essential to bringing moisture and oxygen to your trees' roots. During the first 2 weeks, deeply water your trees every other day. Then, water a new tree once a week for the first year, while it still has its leaves. Be sure to take rainfall into account before watering too, and make sure the soil is draining and drying out some between waterings. Of course, during hot, dry periods or in dry climates, water twice per week during the first year.
2) MULCH! Mulch is just what new trees need to retain moisture, control soil temperature and ward off weeds. You want to avoid piling on too much mulch though. Known as volcano mulching, this created a cool, damp environment, which can attract fungi, pests, and diseases. Give a couple of inches around the trunk to let the tree breathe.
3) PRUNING is important. Trim away minor branch defects at the time of planting, but hold off on further pruning of young trees for at least a year. Significantly trimming trees in the middle of the growing season can limit heir growth potential next year.
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"Many times the trees get planted too deep and after about 5 years we see a lot of these trees die. It needs to be known that it is much better for the top root to be at ground level or above. If it is planted below ground level, often people end up mulching around trees and this root ends up too deep and the water will cause the crown of the tree to rot and then the tree dies. I see this all the time. Daylight for the top root is my recommendation."
— Joel H. Packham
University of Idaho Extension Educator, Cassia County