ReLeaf Tree Planting

If you have sandy soil, a newly planted tree should be watered every 5 to 7 days unless there is more than 1″ of rainfall. If you have clay soil the time period should be increased to every 7 to 10 days. In periods of extreme drought, even large trees may need water. Remember, you can’t water a tree too much at one time, but you can water a tree too often.

The latest research shows that tree wounds need not be painted. In fact, painting may very well keep the wound from healing as fast as it might if it were simply left alone. In the past, painting wounds was a sign of a professional trimming job, but to this date, no wound dressing has been found that will deter decay, stop insects from entering or speed healing.

Under no condition should a tree be topped. Topping is NOT an acceptable method of trimming trees. If a tree is properly trimmed, it will have the same shape and character that it had before it was trimmed. Most people should be able to look at a tree that has been properly trimmed and not be able to tell that anything has been done to it. Topping reduces the life span of a tree and allows insects and decay to enter the tree. If it is done to an extreme, it can kill the tree in one growing season.

YES! Grass roots produce chemicals which actually inhibit the growth of a newly planted tree. If the grass is kept away from the trunk at least 24″ on each side, the tree will grow faster. Often, if will grow twice as fast as it would if grass is allowed to grow up to the trunk. Keeping grass away by the use of mulch also reduces the potential of damage to the tree from a string trimmer or a lawn mower. These two items kill more trees than insect and diseases put together.