CARING FOR TREES

Our Tree Guardians are the secret behind the high survival rate of our trees.

It is vital that a newly planted street tree is given adequate attention over the first three years following planting. Watering starts in March each year.

Watering tips - for best practice

  • Please start watering your trees a week after you see new green growth. You can stop watering when the leaves start to change colour in autumn (unless it’s an evergreen species). 

  • Follow the '20 litres in one visit' routine (measure don’t guess!) to soak the soil and encourage strong root growth from the start. In mild spring or autumn weather this can be fortnightly, but in hot weather should be weekly for the first two summers.

  • Following the second summer, reduce the frequency of watering but not the amount. After three summers, the tree should not need further watering, unless it has struggled to establish or there is a drought.

  • Please give a single watering of 20 litres as soon as the tree is planted to replace any water lost in transit and to help the soil settle around the roots.

  • Always water using the irrigation pipes or gator bags provided, as well as watering the soil around the top of the root ball. Do not water the base of the trunk - it is better to water the four corners of the tree pit which is where the fine root hairs will be.

  • Remove wild vegetation that will compete for available water (additional planting around the tree should be avoided during the first two years).

  • Involve neighbours and set up watering groups – especially when there is more than one tree to care for, but even when there is just one. Flyers are available.

  • If possible, mulch to retain moisture – bark clippings, leaf mould or wood chip. Lay in a doughnut formation, making sure that the mulch does not lie against the bark of the tree (where it might cause rot).

  • You can consider combining watering with feed if the tree isn’t thriving, but only use something suitable for trees such as a seaweed based feed.

  • If your tree is an evergreen, then you must continue to water it with 20L once a month from November - February, discontinuing if there is a hard frost, and ensuring that you never: use hot water; use water containing any bleach; place any de-icing salts around the base of the tree.

  • Expect email messages from us or from your street reps! If none appear, check spam folders and/or get in touch.

More than just water

Please always report damage to bark, broken branches, ineffective stakes, guards and straps

  • Also report branches that need pruning, or any overhanging the road at risk from vehicles!

  • Combine watering with feed if the tree isn’t thriving

  • Report good news or problems to us via this form.

‘If you plant trees from good stock, at the right time, and provide enough water, you’d lose almost none prematurely. But get that wrong, and more than half can die.’

— Russell Miller, London-based arboricultural consultant (Guardian 1st August 2019)