If you’ve planted new trees this spring, or anytime last year, here are some tips to give them the care they need to thrive through this summer and into maturity.
Newly planted trees or shrubs require more frequent watering than those already established. They should be watered at planting and then every day for the first two weeks with a very good soaking of 10 minutes or more. In weeks 3 – 12, water them every 2 to 3 days. For a tree that was planted last season, water at least once or twice a week, unless nature does it for you with a soaking rain. New trees should not be fertilized directly. Also, they should be kept well-mulched with a “bowl” created at the base to retain water flow to the root ball.
Sucker branches at the base of a new tree should be carefully pruned off. For trees that will eventually contribute to the canopy (meaning they will exceed 25+ tall when mature, the foliage should be trimmed to promote healthy and even growth all around. It’s best to prune a juvenile tree before leafing out, or at the end of the season. Suckers can be pruned off through the summer.
York Manor will participate in the Bluewater Baltimore Canopy Tree program again this year. Details of which trees will be available for sale will be available soon with sales commencing in June. If you wish to have a preliminary conversation about your participation, please call Scott Greatorex at 410-302-7629, or send an email to scott.greatorex@gmail.com