Posted on May 10th, 2016
Have you been planting new foliage in your yard this spring? If so, it’s important to note that young trees and shrubs require a bit more TLC than those that are older, stronger and more established. Lucky for you, we know all the secrets to make nurturing a young sapling into a strong, full and healthy shrub a breeze!
Put down the sheers. Pruning is an important part of caring for your greenery, but pruning too soon can be detrimental. As a general rule, allowing your new tree or shrub to grow uninterrupted for the first year after planting is best. Unless of course you notice dead or damaged branches, which should be removed as soon as possible. Then, give it a few more years before you begin trimming branches from the bottom as well.
Wrap your trunks for protection. While trees planted on the southeast side of your home might offer lovely shade, remember that they’re still being beat down on by the sun. In order to protect their trunks from sun damage, consider wrapping them with tree wrap. Re-wrapping in the winter can also insulate young trees and keep them from freezing.
Step away from the stakes. Many homeowners believe that staking a young tree is the best way to help it grow straight and tall. However, this should only be done if the tree can absolutely not stand on its own. In the event that you have to stake a young sapling, make sure to do so carefully, leaving room for the tree to wiggle in the wind, and remove staking after one year.
Remember to mulch. The soil beneath newly planted trees and shrubs is more susceptible to weed growth, since the plant’s roots are not strong enough to fend them off yet. Adding a 3-inch layer of mulch to the base of your bushes will help keep weeds away, so moisture and nutrients are saved for your plants.
Need a hand getting the new shrubs in your garden growing? No problem! The experts at Turf Unlimited can assess your landscape and provide you with a personalized plan to have your whole yard growing green in no time.
To learn more about our shrub and tree care services, give us a call at 888-649-9919 today!
