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Young Tree Care

Overview

Each year, the City of Lakewood plants roughly 400 young trees on tree lawns and in public spaces throughout the community. These plantings are a concerted effort to increase the city’s tree canopy. 

Urban trees offer a wide range of benefits, including:

  • Reducing heating and cooling costs by providing shade and dissipating heat
  • Slowing degradation of roads, driveways, and roofs by reducing direct sunlight exposure
  • Absorbing and filtering storm water, reducing the strain on our wastewater treatment plant
  • Capturing carbon dioxide from the air and releasing oxygen during photosynthesis
  • Catching and removing harmful particulate matter from the air
  • Providing aesthetic benefits, increasing property values, and reducing residents’ stress

Caring For Young Trees

  • Deep water your tree at least every ten days during summer months the first two years.
  • Deep watering prevents surface roots.
  • Keep the soil moist. When the soil is dry below the surface of the mulch, it is time to water.
  • Mulch around trees protects young roots from drying out and helps to prevent weeds.
  • Never put mulch up against the tree trunk. Keep mulch at least 3 inches from trunk.
  • Protect the trunk from damage inflicted by weed trimmers and mowers.
The base of a young tree - circular cutout of mulch around the trunk. Mulch is flat and root flare is visible.
Correct: Visible Root Flare
A young tree planted with a large pile of mulch, which takes water away from the root system.
Incorrect: "Mulch Volcano"

Proper Watering For New Trees

Water in the morning or evening.

Up to 40 percent of water can be lost to evaporation when applied during mid-day heat. Instead, water your tree in the morning or evening to make sure all water gets to the root system.

Aim for moist – not soggy – soil.

Trees do best when their soil is not too wet, not too dry, but consistently moist. Water newly planted trees daily, and when the root system takes hold, watering can be reduced.

Water your tree year round.

Even if they are dormant during colder months, trees continue to need water! As long as the temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, you can (and should) water your tree.

Base of a young tree being watered by a garden hose. Tree base is surrounded by mulch.

Treegator® Original Installation Instructions

During our spring planting, we install TreeGator® bags on new trees. These bags are designed to distribute the water to the root system over a longer period of time, reducing runoff and evaporation while providing a proper amount of water to the root base.

Step 1

Lift up tag at the top of the bag to expose the fill opening. Insert water hose (up to 3-inch diameter) into fill opening. Turn on water supply and begin filling.

Note: Fill bag only to approximately 1/4 capacity, then proceed to Step 2 below.

Step 2

Gently lift up on the two black straps at the top of the bag in order to fully expand the bottom.

Note: Do not hang or suspend the bag by black straps. If desired, add pre-mixed water-soluble fertilizer and/or nutrients.

Step 3

Fill Treegator® Original bag with water to desired level and let drain. Treegator® Original will be empty in approximately 5 to 9 hours.

Follow a fill schedule based on the size of your new planting. Once empty, remove bag from the tree, move to another planting, and re-fill or store until needed again.