Looking for ways to spruce up your neighborhood? Learn about how you can take care of your local street trees. Proper care of street trees is essential to their health. We'll take you through some things you can do to create a long and happy life for your street tree.
Watering a new tree is the most important thing you can do. The best way to water is to make sure the soil is saturated with at least 15 gallons of water. We recommend watering your tree 1-3 times a week for the first 3 years. Here are some helpful tips on watering:
- You should water May through October.
- Soil should be moist, not soaked. Overwatering can damage your tree.
- If it rains 1 inch or more in a week, you don't need to water that week.
- Water slowly so the water can penetrate the soil.
Weeds are fast growing and fast moving. They tend to compete for water, space and nutrients. Street trees live in very small spaces that only provide limited amount of nutrients. Having as little competition as possible helps your tree stay healthy. Here are some helpful tips on weeding:
- Weed your tree site in early fall before the plant dries out and seeds disperse.
- Wear gloves to remove the weed's entire root system.
- Dispose of weeks in City yard waste bags.
- Watch out for poison ivy and hazardous trash in the soil.
Mulch is organic material, like shredded bark or woodchips, that is added to the base of the tree. It acts as a blanket to hold moisture, moderate soil temperatures, and reduce competition from grass and weeds. Here are some helpful tips on using mulch:
- 2 to 4 inches of mulch is best.
- Do not add soil to the tree base, as it can smother roots and cause trunk rotting.
- Make sure the trunk of the tree doesn't get covered by mulch. 1 to 2 inches of mulch-free area around the base of the of the tree is best.
Planting flowers or plants around a tree is a great way to add color to your neighborhood. However, flowers shouldn't be planted within the first 3 years of the tree planting. Here are some helpful tips on ornamental planting:
- Choose flowers that are "drought tolerant" and don't require much watering. We recommend Daffodils, Lilies of the Valley, or Tulips.
- Use small plants and bulbs to reduce competition and tree root damage.
- Don't add any more than 2 inches of new soil when planting flowers.
- Don't plant flowers that compete for water and nutrients, such as bamboo, ivy, vines, or shrubs.