Knowledgebase

Watering new trees #869505

Asked May 21, 2024, 5:03 PM EDT

Your website has a page about watering new trees. It recommends a stepwise approach, watering daily for 1-2 weeks, every 2-3 days for 3-11 weeks, and weekly after 12 weeks. That same page also references Treegator tree watering bags. If I use a Treegator watering bag, should I use it right away, instead of daily watering, or should I follow your stepwise approach to watering daily, then every 2-3 days, and not switch to a Treegator bag until week 13 when it's time to switch to weekly monitoring? That same page indicates that it can 3 years for 2" trees to establish. Is it your recommendation that weekly watering continue from week 13 through the end of year 3, excluding winters?

Hubbard County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for reaching out to ask2.extension.

I would water the trees yourself for at least the first 3 months for sure following the University suggestions.  After that the gator would be ok to use.

As far as watering weekly, it will depend on the weather also.  Check out your tree type and how much water it needs per week and go by that.  Water into the fall as long as you can.  Do this for at least the first two years.  You’ll be able to tell if the trees are flourishing.

Good luck!

Deb Kroon Replied May 22, 2024, 8:52 PM EDT

Thank you.  One follow-up.  It looks like my contractor left the burlap on the tree root balls at planting.  I was just reading about watering online and came across multiple websites saying burlap should be removed at planting, otherwise it’s setting up the tree for failure.  I did not know about this until after the trees were planted.  I am sure the contractor will not want to dig up the trees to remove the burlap and will probably refuse unless I pay them more to do it.  If the trees will be damaged in the long run by this, I will pay someone else to dig them up and do it right if that’s what makes most sense.  What is your take on this? 

 

From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2024 8:53 PM
To: Durnen, Kerry <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Watering new trees (#0139426)

 

The Question Asker Replied May 23, 2024, 7:17 AM EDT

The burlap should’ve come off for the best tree health.  It will deteriorate eventually, but I’m not sure how long it will take or how much of an effect it will have on the trees.  I truly hope that there wasn’t a wire cage around the root ball.  You may want to contact the contractor and see what he says, at least about the cage.  I’m sure he will tell you the burlap is ok.

It is up to you, but your best chance is to remove the burlap.

Deb Kroon Replied May 24, 2024, 1:06 PM EDT

Looks like they left wire cages intact on all three trees.  Sounds like that was a definite no-no based on your response.  If it were your money, would you pay to have it dug up and corrected?  If yes, I will follow your advice and will hire someone else to do it because obviously this contractor doesn’t know what they are doing.

 

From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2024 1:06 PM
To: Durnen, Kerry <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Watering new trees (#0139426)

 

The Question Asker Replied May 24, 2024, 1:32 PM EDT

I would definitely dig them up and remove the cages.  Contact the company that planted them.  They should have known to remove the cages if they are reputable at all.  

I’m sorry you’re going through this.

Deb Kroon Replied May 27, 2024, 7:45 PM EDT

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