Watering & Fertilizing Trees
How often do I need to water and fertilize my trees?
Established Trees
Established trees generally do not need to be watered or fertilized. With proper planting and care it takes about a year for a tree to become established.
Just Planted Trees
Just planted trees, if purchased from a nursery, do not need to be fertilized when they are planted. They should, however, be fertilized about two weeks later. This is because most stores and nurseries fertilize their plants while they are on display for sale. Use a good slow release fertilizer. For a small tree generally a handful of fertilizer will do.
After the first fertilizing, fertilize every four months. Always use a good slow release fertilizer.
Just planted trees need to be watered. Water the plant in well at planting time. Some people will fill the hole with water before planting the tree, then let the hole drain. This is called "mudding it in". if the root ball is dry when you get it, you can also soak it over night in a bucket of water.
Water the roots of the tree every day for the first month. In the second month water the tree every two or three days. After that, watch the weather and water weekly or when it is dry.
