🌳Tips from the Team at Trees for Less

Planting a new tree is a beautiful investment in your home, your community, and the planet — and we’re so glad you chose to do it with Trees for Less! Whether our crew handled the planting or you’re planting one of our nursery-grown trees yourself, a little extra care during that first year goes a long way.

To help your tree settle in and thrive, here are some expert tips from our team:

💧 1. Water Deeply and Consistently

Your tree’s roots are still getting established. For the first year, we recommend watering once or twice a week, depending on the weather and soil conditions.

Focus on deep watering — soak the soil so moisture reaches the entire root zone. Avoid shallow, frequent watering, and let the top couple inches of soil dry out between waterings.

🌿 2. Mulch Matters

Mulching helps your tree retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Add a 2–4 inch layer of wood chips or bark mulch around the base of your tree, but be sure to keep it a few inches away from the trunk to avoid rot or pest issues.

If you are in need of mulch, Trees for Less has many varieties and will deliver to your driveway.

🛡️ 3. Protect the Trunk

Young trees are vulnerable! Protect the trunk from mowers, trimmers, sunscald, and curious animals.

Use a tree guard or a small fence if needed, especially in areas with deer, rabbits, or pets.

✂️ 4. Go Easy on the Pruning

In the first year, your tree’s main job is root growth. Only prune dead, damaged, or crossing branches — save the shaping and structural pruning for year two or three.

🌞 5. Stay Weather Aware

During heatwaves or drought, your tree will need extra water. Since Wisconsin winters can be a bit cold (that's an understatement!), consider adding a little extra mulch in the fall to protect the roots through winter.

🌳 From Our Mequon Nursery to Your Yard

At Trees for Less, we take pride in providing healthy, nursery-grown trees — and in helping our customers keep them thriving long after planting day.

If you ever have questions about your tree’s care, watering schedule, or anything else, feel free to give us a call or stop by the nursery. We're always happy to help.

Thanks for planting with Trees for Less — where quality trees don’t have to cost more. 🌱

How to Care for Your Newly Planted Tree