Care & planting of seedlings

What kind of maintenance is necessary?

All of your planning and design work could be wasted without careful consideration of maintenance prior to planting. Maintenance of the seedlings for the first three to five years can mean the difference between project success and failure.

The following will help you grow a healthy tree:

• Seedlings will benefit from watering, especially if dry conditions persist. Water once per week if possible in these circumstances.
• keep weeds and grass away from seedlings as they steal moisture and nutrients. Control can be accomplished in various ways:
  • chemicals are available for use in site preparation and for spring weed control
  • cultivation, disking and rototilling are also effective
  • hoeing may be the only option between trees and more inaccessible areas
  • organic and inorganic mulches can be used around seedlings and between rows to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
• mulch around the base of trees to give your seedling a stable root environment - one that is cooler and contains more moisture; mulch also reduces competition from weeds and encroaching grasses.
• tackle pest problems by taking appropriate measures to reduce damage; consult with your local agriculture representative or nursery to determine what options may be available to you should problems arise
• transplant seedlings where necessary. If seedlings are too small for their intended location, plant them in a cultivated bed or garden about 0.3 metre (one foot) apart; once seedlings are large enough, seedlings may be dug out and transplanted to the intended site; seedlings that are left for a number of years, especially faster growing species, may not successfully transplant.