Tree Care Guide
Tree Care Guide Post Planting
Congratulations on planting your new tree or shrub! Proper aftercare is the key to a healthy, long-lasting tree. This guide walks you through how to care for your trees throughout the seasons, with real examples based on the trees we grow and sell.
Know Your Plant: Matching Care to Plant Type
1. Coniferous Trees (Spruce, Pine, Fir)
Example: Colorado Blue Spruce, Lodgepole Pine
Key Care Tips:
- Prefer well-drained soil and consistent moisture
- Mulch generously to retain soil moisture
- Sensitive to salt and winter wind — consider wrapping in winter
2. Deciduous Prairie-Hardy Trees (Maple, Birch, Ash, Elm)
Example: Colorado Blue Spruce, Lodgepole Pine
Key Care Tips:
- Prefer well-drained soil and consistent moisture
- Mulch generously to retain soil moisture
- Sensitive to salt and winter wind — consider wrapping in winter
3. Shrubs (Lilac, Dogwood, Spirea, Ninebark)
Example: Common Purple Lilac, Red Twig Dogwood
Key Care Tips:
- Great for hedges or borders
- Benefit from spring pruning to control shape
- Water consistently in summer heat; mulch to prevent soil drying
4. Perennials (Hosta, Daylily, Coneflower)
Example: Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Hosta
Key Care Tips:
- Thrive in well-prepared beds with good soil
- Divide and thin every few years to promote blooms
- Add compost in early spring
Watering Guide: Seasonal Care
Proper watering is crucial, especially in the first 1–3 years as roots establish.
🌸 Spring
- Begin watering once the ground has fully thawed
- Water deeply 1–2 times per week, depending on weather
- Best done in morning to minimize evaporation
- Watch for leaf-out — that’s when water demand increases
☀️ Summer
- Water deeply and consistently in the early morning or late evening
- Trees under stress will wilt, drop leaves, or brown at tips
- Use slow-release water bags (available from us) to reduce watering effort and deliver consistent hydration
- Conifers especially benefit from slow, deep watering
🍂 Fall
- Keep watering until the ground freezes, especially conifers
- This builds up internal moisture for winter survival
- One last deep soak in late fall is key for evergreens
❄️ Winter
- Watering is usually not needed unless there’s a mild winter with no snow cover
- For young evergreens, apply anti-desiccant spray and wrap in burlap to protect from windburn and winter sunscald
- Avoid piling snow or salt near the trunks
Staking Newly Planted Trees
Staking supports young trees while they establish roots — but it must be done correctly and temporarily.
✅ When to Stake:
- Tall, narrow trees (e.g., columnar species)
- Wind-exposed sites
- Sloped areas
- Loosely rooted soil
🛠️ How to Stake:
- Use two flexible straps on opposite sides of the tree
- Stakes should be just outside the root ball
- Secure with soft, flexible ties that won’t cut into bark
🕒 How Long?
- Typically remove after 1 growing season (or 12 months)
- Leaving stakes too long can weaken trunk development
Mulching Matters
Mulch is a low-cost, high-benefit care step:
- Apply 2–3 inches around the base of the tree (no mulch volcanoes!)
- Keep mulch 2–3 inches away from the trunk
- Retains moisture, prevents weeds, regulates temperature
- We sell organic bark mulch in bulk for landscape contractors
Pruning & Maintenance Tips
✂️ When to Prune:
- Late winter to early spring for most trees
- After flowering for shrubs like lilacs and spirea
- Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches anytime
✂️ What to Prune:
- Suckers and watersprouts
- Broken or rubbing branches
- Double leaders on young trees (to encourage a strong central trunk)
Signs of Stress to Watch For
Top Signs to look for
- Yellowing or browning leaves: Can indicate overwatering, underwatering, or transplant shock
- Wilting: Lack of moisture or root damage
- Sparse foliage or early leaf drop: Nutrient deficiency or root stress
📸 Take photos and send them to our team — we’re happy to help you assess the issue!
🧑🌾 Pro Tip: Set Up a Maintenance Schedule
Water: Weekly deep watering for first 2–3 years
Mulch: Top up annually
Prune: Annually or bi-annually depending on species
Fertilize: Only after first year, using slow-release fertilizer
Questions or need help?
Reach out to our team — we’re happy to offer recommendations and guidance for:
- Tree & shrub selection
- On-site planting consultation
- Wholesale support for landscaping projects
- Custom watering plans for estates or commercial sites
