The main priority in caring for all young trees in the first three years after planting is weed control, which is described in the following chapter. Watering is not usually practical in anything other than a garden situation. Fertilising is normally not necessary.
Weed control
The method of weed control should be decided upon at the earliest stage in planning planting, as it may affect the method of protection, spacing and other factors.
Herbicides are the most cost-effective method. Herbicides are applied either to bare ground in the winter, or to growing vegetation in spring.
Sheet or granular mulches can be spread immediately after planting, or during the first winter at any time before weed growth starts.
For full details on weed control see Chapter 7 – Aftercare.
Pruning at planting
Good quality young trees, grown in a nursery, should have a balanced root to shoot ratio, making it unnecessary to prune at planting. Transplanted wild trees, or those which have been grown other than in a nursery may have too much top growth in relation to the root growth, and may have crossing branches or excess side branches. leave the leader, but cut back side branches by at least one third, and remove any crossing branches which may rub. Very badly formed young trees, or those that are damaged, can be cut back to a stump of about 5cm (2”), which stimulates a new leader to grow.
Hard pruning or ‘stumping back’ can be a useful technique for hedging plants, notably hawthorn, or for planting in very vandal-prone areas. The stumps are barely visible in the first winter, and are fairly damage proof. By the time there is a noticeable amount of top growth, the young tree should have put out a good amount of root growth and will be difficult to uproot by hand.
See Chapter 7 – Aftercare for more information on pruning.
Firming up
When weeding in early spring, and at other times as possible in the first year, check that the trees are still firm in the ground. Wind-sway can create a hollow around the root collar of the young tree, leaving it poorly supported. Frost action or moles can disturb the ground, loosening the roots. Tread around any loose stems to firm them into the ground. Check for any loose treeshelters or other tree protection, and tighten ties or replace stakes as necessary. Check particularly those young trees in exposed positions.
