HomeMy Public PortalAboutAftercare for Newly Planted Trees Fact Sheet City of Watertown
Office of the Tree Warden
Administration Building • 149 Main Street • Watertown, MA 02472
Tel (617) 972–6426 • Fax (617) 972–6484
mmicieli@watertown-ma.gov
General Aftercare for Newly Planted Trees
The City of Watertown plants trees on publicly owned property. Street trees are City property and maintenance
of street trees is the City’s responsibility. Trees may be planted by the City on private property. The City is
responsible for trees on private property one year from their planting date based on contractual warranties.
Additionally, we ask that residents volunteer their time and effort to help ensure new tree survival and
establishment during the tree’s first few years.
The following are some helpful tips and information:
• Watering. Newly planted trees should receive 20 gallons at least once a week for the first year during
the growing season (April through October); more often if the weather is dry. Watering is not necessary
during the winter months or during summer months when rainfall has been abundant. Provided watering
bags can hold 20 gallons each. Be sure to get the water into the bag, not between the bag and stake. If
there's no bag, watering at the base of the tree for approximately 30 minutes with just a trickle allows
water to thoroughly infiltrate the soil.
• Mulch. Newly planted trees will be mulched. A layer of two to three inches is all that is needed. If the
mulch thins out, please use organic mulches. Mulch helps retain soil moisture, moderate soil temperature,
and control competing grass and weeds. Do not allow it to touch the bark and please do not mound it
up around the trunk of the tree. Mulch out, not up! Mulch should form a ring around the tree and not
be piled up to the trunk. It is best to keep it three inches away from the trunk. Excessive amounts of mulch
piled at the trunk can suffocate the tree.
• Stakes. New trees are staked to help establish the tree. They generally may be removed after one year.
Trees strengthen themselves through the movements caused by winds and other forces. Trees that are
staked for long periods and receive extra support may not be as strong and respond well to winds once
stakes are removed.
• Pruning. Please do not prune newly planted trees. Damage done by incorrect pruning is often
catastrophic and irreversible. Please call the Tree Wardens office at (617) 972-6420 regarding any
pruning issues.
• Fertilizer. Please do not fertilize the tree. A slow release organic fertilizer has been added during planting.
• Parking. Please do not park within a 15 feet radius of the tree on unpaved surfaces. Foot traffic, bicycles
or other weight on the soil near a tree can compact the soil and damage fine root hairs needed for the
tree to take up nutrients.
• Flowers/Grass. Flowers/ grass are generally okay to plant near the tree, but please avoid planting woody
shrubs or vines. Vital roots that feed a tree are in the top six inches of soil; woody shrubs compete for
necessary water and nutrients while vines can significantly damage trees as they grow.
Thank you for your valuable contribution of time and resources. Volunteer efforts assisting new tree development
are key to the City of Watertown continuing to maintain and increase its Urban Forest canopy.