How to Care for Newly Planted Trees and Shrubs

Newly planted trees and shrubs need consistent, thoughtful care to help them adjust, take root, and thrive. One of the most important steps is to keep the soil around the root ball moist as often as possible. This typically requires deep watering every other day or every third day, depending on weather and soil conditions.

Watering Guidelines for Shrubs

The best way to water new shrub beds is to:

• Use a sprinkler set to cover the entire planting area for 45–60 minutes, or

• Run a soaker hose (drip irrigation) through the bed and let it run for 30–60 minutes.

Watering Guidelines for Larger Trees

In order to reach the lower roots of larger trees, you may need to:

• Place an open hose near the root ball and establish a steady trickle.

• Let the water run for 15–20 minutes at each tree.

• Repeat this process for every newly planted tree.

Adjusting Watering Frequency (and Avoiding Overwatering)

As your plants become more established, the watering process should shift:

• Begin to water less frequently, eventually reducing to once a week.

• Always check the soil before watering. If the soil is moist 3 inches below the surface, skip watering that day.

• The soil should not remain soaked—allow it to dry slightly between waterings to prevent overwatering, which can damage root systems.

Signs of Transplant Shock

If your plants begin to:

• Lose leaves or needles

• Look weak or discolored

Call us immediately. Newly transplanted plants often experience shock, which may include leaf drop or stunted growth. This does not mean the plant is dead—it simply needs time to recover before resuming normal growth.