Planting & Establishment
Tree Care
Water deeply and consistently
Water your tree slowly and thoroughly so moisture reaches the root ball and the surrounding soil. Newly planted trees usually need more frequent watering during hot, dry, or windy weather, especially during the first season.
- Check soil moisture regularly instead of watering on autopilot
- Keep the root zone moist, but don't leave it constantly saturated
- Pay extra attention during the first few weeks after planting
Mulch the root area
A layer of mulch helps retain moisture, moderate soil temperature, and reduce weed competition. Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk so moisture doesn't sit directly against the bark.
Protect the trunk and branches
Avoid damaging the trunk with lawn equipment, and watch for rubbing, breakage, or other early stress. If staking was used at planting time, check that ties are secure but not too tight.
Go easy on pruning
Only remove damaged or clearly broken branches unless a specific pruning plan is recommended. A newly planted tree needs as much healthy foliage as possible to support establishment.
Watch for transplant stress
Some leaf drop or minor stress can be normal after planting, but ongoing wilting, dieback, or poor color may mean the tree needs additional attention. If you have concerns about watering, planting depth, or early tree health, contact B&J Evergreen for guidance.
Bare Root Gravel Bed System
What is a bare root gravel bed?
B&J Evergreen has integrated a bare root gravel bed system into our nursery. The system allows bare root trees to be placed into an irrigated bed of gravel, which can build very extensive fibrous root systems within a relatively short amount of time. These root systems greatly increase survival rates when it comes to planting. The bed gives our nurserymen control over water depth, availability, and nutrient concentrations, so we can hold optimum conditions for root production.
An advantage of bare root gravel beds over pots is that the gravel bed lets the root system grow freely and in a natural manner instead of circling around the pot.
Advantages over pot-grown trees
When it comes to removing trees from the gravel bed, there's very little damage to the root system; the pea rock simply falls back into the bed. Once removed, the root system is moistened and placed in a plastic bag to retain moisture. The absence of dirt makes the tree light and relatively mess-free, so it can be placed easily in any car with no mess and no large equipment.
Call (320) 743-2255 for a quote or more information.
