As landscape professionals, tree care can be a unique challenge because of each tree’s different needs and specifications.

National Love a Tree Day is a good time to make sure you know these four tips for caring for trees.

1. Give them the right amount of water.

Depending on a tree’s growth stage, they will require different amounts of water. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, new trees require water immediately after being planted. After that, trees will require a lot of water to establish their roots.

Watering deeply, through drip irrigation for example, can help young trees speed up their root establishment.

Be careful not to over water as this can be just as harmful as watering too little.

2. Apply mulch or pine straw.

To help protect trees against heat, weeds and even mowers or other lawn equipment, laying down mulch or pine straw around trees is an effective method of care. Applying 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the base of a tree’s trunk will help maintain the plant’s soil temperature, locking in warmth or keeping the tree’s roots cool.

Mulch also blocks pesky weeds from establishing their own root system too close to a tree, preventing competition for soil nutrients for young trees.

For more information on mulch, check out this Ewing blog: Dig In To Profits With MULCH

3. Install a tree diaper.

It might sound funny, but this tree care product is not joke. A tree diaper is an easy solution for both the tips mentioned above. The Ecoturf Midwest tree diaper works as a weed barrier, promotes root growth and maintains the soil moisture level around a tree for up to 30 days without needing to refill it!

You can pick up a tree diaper at your local Ewing store.

4. Plan for growth.

One of the best ways to care for trees long term is to plan for their growth. You can do this first by providing the right support. For a newly planted tree, install tree stakes, ties or anchors upon planting to help stabilize a growing tree. Anchor ties can be loosened as the tree grows until it no longer needs the support.

Next, plan for a tree’s growth by installing the right irrigation system from the start. Drip irrigation is an effective water saver and when installed with forethought, can help save time and money too. For trees, drip irrigation must be installed with the plant type in mind. Once you’ve researched the tree’s specific water needs, you can install the number of drip rings that will be needed in the future.

Read more on this here: Drip Irrigation: Planning for Growth