Watering and Early Tree Care Instructions
The Bucket Method
The bucket your tree came in holds about 5 gallons of water.
1. Line this bucket with a trash bag and fill it up with water.
2. Poke a small hole in the bottom of the bag at one of the bucket drain holes.
3. Let the water drain out slowly near the trunk, but not on it.
4. Fill it three times once a week every week, even when it's raining.
Garden Hose Method
Run your hose on a slow trickle for 1 1/2 to 2 hours once a week on each tree, even when it’s raining.
1” of rain = 5 gallons of water
San Francisco’s average annual rainfall is only about 20 inches.
San Francisco has many micro climates with many soil types:
The sandy soils on the Western half of the city generally require more frequent watering, becaus e they drain faster than clay soils. If you live in an area with sandy soils water 20 gallons a week over two or three waterings: 2 buckets twice a week.
Heavy clay soils drain slowly. If the water hasn’t drained into the soil 10 minutes after you have finished watering you have a heavy clay soil. Aerate the soil. Apply less water less frequently.
If you have a watering tube, alternate watering between the soil surface and through the tube for the first year. Water through the tube only during the second and third year. (Sandy soil areas do not need watering tubes.)
Water your tree 15 to 20 gallons a week for the first two years and 15 to 20 gallons every other week the third year.
Watering slowly and deeply is better for your tree’s over-all health then fast and frequent waterings.
This is not a formula. If your tree watering schedule is not working for your tree health or soil type, adjust as necessary.
Contact the FUF office if you need help with watering schedules or to determine your soil type.
At my home I have a _____________________soil type. My tree
needs _____ buckets of water_____ times a week until ______________,
and _____ buckets of water _____ times a week until ____________
Tree care and Maintenance
Watering before 10 am and after 8 pm can reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation.
Make sure your tree is well mulched. Mulch will inhibit weed growth and help hold water in the soil. When the mulch breaks down, it increases the soil health. Mulch should be placed and maintained in a 2” deep layer on top of the soil. Keep mulch away from the trunk!
Don’t plant anything else in the tree basin for the first 6 to 12 months. Keep the basin free of weeds. Other plants will compete for water with the tree. Never plant aggressive plants such as ivy, or woody plants such as lavender, in your tree basin.
Loosen the ties of your tree if you see that they are rubbing, chaffing, or girdling. Your tree should move freely with the wind, but not knock against the stakes or cross braces.
Do not top your tree. “Topping” is removing more than 50% of the foliage at any one time, cut ting or removing the tallest branch or cutting or removing the ends of all or most of the branches. “Poll arding” and “Lion Tailing” are forms of topping. Topping will severely weaken your tree and will result in a high maintenance, expensi ve, dangerous and potentially ugly tree.
The best defense against disease is a well maintained and healthy tree.
Friends of the Urban Forest will be checking on and pruning your tree as necessary for the next two years with an optional third and fifth year checkup. If you believe your tree has a problem that needs attention before your scheduled visit, please call for advice or to arrange an appointment.
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