How to Nurture a Young Tree

Did you know that planting one tree can provide enough oxygen for four people? Trees keep the air clean, provide us with oxygen, and reduce the effects caused by climate change. 

Because planting trees come with so many benefits, you are probably wondering how you can grow one. To have a tree grow big and strong, you first have to nurture a sapling. Keep reading to learn how to take care of a young tree.

When to Water a Young Tree

One of the first things you should know when caring for saplings is how often to water them. While every type of tree may have different watering system requirements, heavily watering young trees for the first year is essential.

When you first plant your baby tree, you should do a heavy watering after three days. After that, you will want to water the tree once per week for the next six months. After those six months, water the tree once every other week for the rest of the year. 

Pruning a Young Tree

Pruning a tree is the process of maintaining the tree so that it has a particular shape and appearance. Pruning a young tree involves removing dead limbs, broken limbs, and thinning large branches. 

Pruning your tree is important because it affects the strength and shape of the tree as it grows. Be sure to remove any dead branches from your baby tree. 

When to Use Tree Wrap

Did you know that too much sun can harm your tree? If your baby tree is exposed to direct sunlight, you may need to wrap it to avoid sun-scald. Tree wrap can also help prevent damage from wind and freezing temperatures. 

If you decide to use tree wrap, be sure to remove it after a couple of years. 

When to Use Mulch

Another way to nurture a sapling is to use mulch.

Mulch helps to prevent weeds from growing around the sapling. When too many weeds grow around the tree, they absorb the water and nutrients that the tree needs.

Staking a Young Tree

If your young tree is not able to stand up on its own, you should stake it. Staking your tree can help prevent it from falling or blowing over. 

If you need to stake your baby tree, be sure to use a rubber collar to prevent damage to the tree's bark. It is important to leave extra room so that the wind can move the tree. 

Are You Ready to Grow Your Baby Tree?

Trees are essential for the environment, good for our health, and are a great way to landscape. If you are growing a young tree, be sure to follow these tips to make sure it grows big. 

One of the most important tips for growing a baby tree is to water the tree as needed. Do you need a new hose to water your baby tree? If so, be sure to check out our garden hose inventory today.