Tree Care Instructions

What Should I Do with My Tree Once It’s Planted?

Water your tree

How much water and how often?

Newly planted trees require 10-15 gallons of water total for the week, splitting up between 2-3 watering sessions per week if there is no rainfall. If it does rain, 1-2 inches will suffice for watering that week.

Water your tree according to these guidelines for the first three growing seasons (typically May 1 – September 30). In dryer, hotter months (like July), trees may need more water.

How do I water it?

When you are watering your tree, remember to water LOW and SLOW. As long as the ground is not frozen, you should be watering.

Take your time and be sure the water soaks the entire root ball. Also, try watering them early in the morning or later in the evening so that the water does not immediately evaporate.

When do I stop watering my tree?

You should continue providing water for a newly planted tree until its roots are established. That period depends on the size of the tree - the bigger the tree at transplant, the longer it will take to establish a root system and the more water it needs each watering. We recommend watering your newly planted tree for the first three growing seasons.

Pruning your tree

You don’t want to prune your new tree too much – with that and the shock it is facing being placed in a new environment, it may get too stressed out.

Newly planted trees require only corrective pruning to remove structural defects, such as double leaders and dead, broken, or crossing branches. It is important to retain most of the lower branches to help stabilize the tree. The Old Brooklyn Tree Stewards can assist with this – please connect with them!

Additional pruning generally is not needed until the third or fourth year.

Mulching your tree

Your tree must receive fresh mulch each Spring and Fall. Mulch must be applied in a ring around the tree at least 3 feet in diameter, 3 inches thick, and 3 inches away from the trunk of the tree. When you receive your tree, it is mulched. It is your responsibility to continue mulching in future seasons.

Trees must be weeded routinely to prevent weeds and grass from growing in the mulch ring.

What do I do with the stakes and ties?

All trees must be staked and tied for at least the first two growing seasons. Ties must be adjusted seasonally to prevent girdling and should not be so tight as to prevent the tree from moving in the wind. Need help with this? Contact the Old Brooklyn Tree Stewards!

When you have tree issues (i.e. pests, weird looking leaves, deer damage, etc)

If you live in a highly deer populated area, please connect with the Old Brooklyn Tree Stewards so that they can bring you deer fencing to go around your tree. Deer rut season typically is end of October through end of November. It is important to be proactive.

If you are interested in purchasing your own deer protection, check out the video below for an example of different stem/trunk protection methods: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDFEmzexESU&t=12s

The Old Brooklyn Tree Stewards are here to help! If you have a question or there is an issue with your tree, or you simply would like a steward to do a tree wellness check, please connect with them.

Winter Care: When the Trees are Preparing for a Cold Winter

From the Western Reserve Land Conservancy

The cold air and long nights are here, which means it’s time for winter. We’ve all seen the leaves change color and fall off the trees, but do you know why this happens? The color change happens because the trees are reabsorbing nutrients from the leaves. Once the nutrients have been taken back, the trees will detach the leaves from their branches. Dropping the leaves is needed for the trees to enter dormancy.

In this state, the trees are alive but not actively growing. The trees slow down their internal workings, drawing water and nutrients back towards the central parts of their structure. This whole process happens to prevent the loss of water and nutrients, as well as prevent damage from the cold temperatures. Once the trees are dormant, they’re ready to wait out the winter.