Summertime means lots of sunshine and higher temps! Not to worry— we've got you covered with our top summer tree care tips!
Watering
First and foremost, the most important thing to remember is to water! Be sure to follow our tree care instructions. This is especially true in the summertime when the weather can be hot and dry. Missing a week of watering when there's been no rain can be detrimental to the health of your tree.
Consistent watering of a newly planted tree for the first few growing seasons will ensure a healthy tree for many years to come. The growing season in Chicagoland typically spans from mid-April to the end of November (note that watering will still be necessary throughout the fall).
iTrees.com recommends watering your tree immediately after it is planted and throughout summer and into fall.
How to Water →
Water your tree for 1 hr 1x a week. Yep. That's it! You don't want to underwater your tree but overwatering can be just as bad or worse.
Watering Methods We Recommend →
• How to Water with a Slow-Release Watering Bag: Watering bags only need to be filled 1x each week. If it rains 1" or more in a week, you can let up and resume watering the following week.
We believe that a slow-release watering bag is hands down the easiest and most efficient way to water your tree. The bag looks a bit like a donut and sits flat on top of the mulch around your tree. The slow-release watering system works wonders for newly planted trees. The watering donut will slowly and evenly disperse a high volume of water directly to the root system of a newly planted tree or shrub with no run-off or evaporation. We can't recommend this method enough!
They can be left on spring, summer, and fall. In late fall, they can be removed and placed in storage for winter. Once everything thaws out in spring, they can be placed back on around the tree.
• How to Water with a Hose: Place your hose at the base of your tree's trunk. Turn the hose on a very slow trickle and let it run for 1 hour. If it rains 1" or more in a week, you can let up and resume watering the following week.
When it comes to hoses, quality hoses are best because they will last the longest and hold up when left outside.
• How to Water with a Soaker Hose: If you have a row of trees planted near each other, try a soaker hose. Simply take the soaker hose and wrap it in an "S" around the trunks of the trees. This way, you can water them all at the same time! Let it run for 1 hr 1x each week. If it rains 1" or more in a week, you can let up and resume watering the following week.
💡Helpful Tips →
• Check the Soil: A good way to check if your tree needs to be watered is by checking the soil. An easy way to do this is by taking your hand or a small garden trowel and dig down about 6 inches and feel the soil. You should be able to roll the soil into a ball. The soil should not be so dry that it crumbles or so overly saturated that the soil runs through your fingers
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• Schedule Your Watering: Use a regular calendar or put it in your phone, and that way, you can set a reminder that will alert you ahead of time. Whatever option works best for you. If you use the hose or soaker hose method, please be sure to set a hose timer so you won’t forget to turn the hose off!
• Mulching: Another important part of tree care is mulching. When we plant your tree, we will mulch around the tree. We take pride in our mulching method.
Our crew will focus on exposing the root flare (the base of the trunk) and will create a moat around the tree as opposed to the volcano style, which is a very common mistake. You can see exactly what we are talking about in the comparison pictures below.
It’s a good idea to keep your mulch replenished even as your trees age. Mulch will keep the moisture in and the weeds and pests out!
All in all, if you stick to these simple steps, you'll be set and your tree should thrive 🌳😀💦!
For more information on tree care, check out these posts →
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