Trees eventually grow to be strong, beautiful additions to their landscape, but it takes years and attentive tree care for them to arrive at that point. The first five years are critical for a tree’s long-term health, and this is also the time when a tree is most vulnerable. After all, young trees have thinner bark that is less resistant to changes in temperature, and they are more susceptible to disease and grazing animals when they are young. For these reasons, it’s important to be informed about how to care for young trees and then to put that knowledge into practice.
If you have young trees, here are a few tree care tips to keep in mind:
- Deep watering leads to deeper roots. Young trees need deep watering so that the root ball receives the hydration it needs to grow faster and promote deeper root growth. Shallow watering leads to shallower roots, which means your trees may not be as anchored as they should be when they reach adulthood. For greater stability and the ability to access water deeper in the soil, make sure to water young trees deeply enough and frequently enough.
- Use mulch to protect your trees. Not only will mulch help to prevent weeds, which could compete with your young trees for water and nutrients, but it will also protect your trees against extreme temperatures and help the soil retain moisture.
- Stake your tree. Staking your young trees is an important part of tree care. It helps to prevent breakage and encourage strong trunk growth. Just make sure you stake your tree in such a way that it can still sway.