It is important to care for your new trees to ensure they thrive, particularly in the first few years after planting as the trees are still establishing. During this establishment period, trees are particularly vulnerable to competition for resources and damage by animals. The first five years following planting a tree are crucial for its longer-term chances of survival.

Weeding/mowing

During the first few years following planting, it is crucial to weed a 1-meter radius around the base of the tree each spring. This practice reduces competition for essential resources like light, nutrients, and water.
Hand removal of weeds and grasses is advised over mowing or strimming, as cutting the grasses can stimulate growth. You can also use a chemical-based product like glyphosate to kill weeds and grasses, but must ensure no chemicals touch the tree itself. Additionally, mulches such as straw or woodchips can be used to suppress weed and grass growth and enable chemicals to completely avoided.

Watering

Watering trees is generally unnecessary, as they will naturally adapt to the site conditions. Regular watering can be detrimental, encouraging roots to grow towards the soil surface rather than deeper towards groundwater. Watering may be permitted during extended dry spells, however, the ground should be fully saturated so the water penetrates deeply into the soil.

Tree guards

Checking tree guards

Regularly check that the tree guards are upright and stakes are firmly in the ground, as strong winds and animals can dislodge them. Remove any grass growing within the tree guard and press the guard into the soil to prevent damage from small mammals.

When to remove tree guards

Remove the tree guards once they begin to split as it can hinder the tree’s growth. This typically happens 5 to 10 years after planting. Proper disposal of tree guards is important; contact your supplier to see if they offer disposal services or reach out to a waste management company.

Survival rates

Expect some tree losses as the young trees transition from nursery conditions to conditions on site. Generally, up to 10% loss is acceptable before initiating replacement, a process known as ‘beating up’. To determine the number of replacements needed, a beat-up assessment is conducted in late summer to monitor survival rates. This assessment helps identify the number of trees to be replaced and which species are establishing well at the site.

Typically, ‘beating up’ occurs within the first three years after planting and is done during the planting season when young trees are dormant.