Hello,

Congratulations on planting a new tree. Because it is important to get off on the right foot when planting a new tree, I’m attaching two articles. One is from the Arborday Foundation: https://www.arborday.org/trees/tips/

The other is from the USDA Forest Service: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5368392.pdf

Both articles instruct you on proper planting procedures and care afterwards.

Watering is a major concern because too much can cause the tree to drown and too little causes it to die. The amount of water needed depends on the type of soil that you are planting in. Sugar Maple, Acer saccharum, prefers well-drained, moderately moist, fertile soil. A major problem with newly transplanted trees is that while the soil in the nursery is well-drained, often the soil that they are planted into are heavy wet soils, such as clay, that is poorly draining. To assess the speed at which water moves through your soil, you can do an infiltration test: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/determining_soil_infiltration_rate

This will help you learn how often the tree should be watered to keep it moist—when you stick your finger two inches down in the soil to assess the moisture. Most plants require 1 inch of water a week although a newly planted trees may require more. You can measure the about of rain that has fallen with a rain gauge or empty tuna can sunk into the ground. If there is not an inch in the can after a rain, supplemental water is necessary. Because trees take about two years to settle into their new environment, you must be vigilant to the water needs of your tree.

I hope this helps you with your maple tree.

Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.