[text_area page_id=”1652″ column=”12″ margintop=”20″ marginbottom=”20″]Proper tree care is essential to the shape, size, strength and longevity of a tree, particularly in the beginning stages. On that note, the single most important factor in maintaining your tree’s health is watering. Watering too regularly or by using too much water is just as detrimental to the tree as not watering enough.
The only way we know how to check a tree’s health is by inspecting the soil around the root ball. To do so, you’ll need to pull away any mulch or dirt you have around the tree and dig along the root ball. The deeper you dig, the better your reading will be. If you don’t feel like digging, simply get a long stick and push it down into the root area and check the soil. If the soil is wet and maintains play dough like consistency, you don’t need to water it. However, if the soil feels cool to the touch, but not dry yet, it’s time to bust out the garden hose. If you wait too long, the soil will become dry and will have a difficult time acclimating itself to the water you provide. Furthermore, the tree might have already started its decline and could have a difficult time bouncing back.

Tips for Checking the Soil

Step 1: Pull away any mulch or dirt that you have around the tree and dig along the root ball.

Step 2: Check to see what the consistency of the soil is. A play dough like consistency is best. If the soil feels cool to the touch, but not dry yet, it’s time to water.
Step 3: Water as needed.
 

Watering Tips


Step 1: Check the soil to determine if your tree/s need watered.

Step 2: Water near the trunk.

Step 3: Water at a slow trickle.
Long, slow deep soaks are better than fully blasting the hose.

It is up to you to remain diligent. Be sure to frequently check your soil, especially in the beginning. The winter months generally provide enough precipitation to adequately sustain your tree.
This is a newly transplanted tree with half of its root system cut. Looking at existing trees is not an effective or accurate way to get a feel on what needs to be done. Please consider low spots, berms, outside a gutter downspout, basement sub-pump bilge outlet, etc—these all factor into watering needs. Also, it’s important to know the weather.
While there is no 100% foolproof method, this is by and large the most effective way to ensure that your tree remains healthy and vibrant.
 

Please note: Spruce Trees and Pine Trees don’t require as much water as Shade Trees.
Here are some exceptions to the rule:
Arborvitaes like it continually damp or moist.
River Birches and Weeping Willows can handle ample amounts of water.

Tree Planting tips

Please note that potted trees require more water and attention than balled and bur-lapped trees. When planting potted trees, you’ll want to check the root system. If it is clumped together, you’ll need to either carefully lead the roots away with your fingers or a blunt instrument. Take extra caution to make sure the roots are spread apart prior to planting. Failure to do so can eventually result in stem failure, due to girdled roots.
When planting a tree, keep in mind that the width of the hole should be at least 3 times the diameter of the root ball or container. This allows room for growth.
When planting B & B’s, try to minimize the time from purchase to planting, as it’s best to plant as soon as possible. However, they can remain in a ball for a little while after purchase, as long as the root ball remains moist and the tree is stored in a shady location. When planting, always lift from the ball, not the trunk.
When deciding on installation points, be very thorough in your preparation. Don’t plant too close to your house. Otherwise, the root system could damage your foundation and the tree, itself.
Before you plant, always call 811. They will mark off all your utilities, free of charge. This is an easy, cost-effective way to ensure your installations go as smoothly as possible.

Staking Policy

Installations do not include staking unless requested by customer and/or homeowner, in which case it’s a minimum charge of $25 per tree. If you request for us to provide a staking service, you acknowledge that you agree to the following:
1) Hoosier Home and Garden LLC and any of its brands or affiliates can not be held responsible for extreme weather.
2) Hoosier Home and Garden LLC and any of its brands or affiliates can not be held responsible for improper care of staked tree/s.
Our staking process, is as follows:
We put stakes on the outside of a tree/s and run wires to the inside trunk of tree, half way up the tree/s. Then, we use a rubber hose to protect the tree/s from the wires.
Trees put on growth. As trees grow, wires need adjusting. Failure to adjust the wires can, and most likely will, result in irreversible damage to the tree.
When a tree is staked, there is no give below, but above the anchor point, the tree is allowed to freely waver. The wires essentially act like a tourniquet, if not used properly–causing the tree to focus its energy on growing taller, rather than expanding.
To further illustrate this point, studies have shown that improper care of a staked tree could weaken the cambium of the tree. The cambium is the part of the tree that produces new growth and bark.
If you find that one of your trees is leaning, and it is beyond the initial installation, we will straighten your tree at our convenience. However, there will be a $60 minimum trip charge.
 
Beyond the initial installation and initial staking process, it is up to the customer and/or homeowner to properly care for their tree/s and this disclaimer absolves Hoosier Home and Garden LLC and any of its brands or affiliates from any liability due to extreme weather, or improper care.
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