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PLANT HEALTH CARE By Brandon M. Gallagher Watson reach its genetic potential. Second, the tree If you have small kids, you no doubt have should be a species that will thrive in the regularly scheduled doctor visits. In fact, the soil type of the site.Third, the tree needs smaller the kid, the more frequent the visits. to be planted at the correct depth with the Babies get checked every few weeks, then first order roots pretty much at the soil line. every few months, until their toddler years Now that we have our tree in the ground where visits become an annual event. On the with all the perfect conditions for success, other end of the spectrum, if you care for how will our management strategies change your elderly parents, you also no doubt have as this tree grows? We could probably look at regularly scheduled doctor visits, often getting dozens of different factors from fertilizing to more frequent near the end.During the midsupport cables, but let's focus on the basics. dle years of life, you probably should see a How will watering, pruning, mulching, and doctor every once in awhile, but if you are pest management differ over time? anything like me, it's really easy to blow off the annual exam and only seek medical assisWatering tance when sick or injured. In general, Young trees humans need more input from health experts No external input is more important to when young and when old than they do a young tree's future success than water.As during the middle ages of life.Trees have sima professional, you won't be around to irriilar needs, and, as arborists, we are the doctors gate the tree on a regular basis, so teach for the trees. So how does the care for young, clients to water correctly. A young tree middle, and old age trees differ? Before we delve into the ways we Watering and getting the roots established is important at should be watered once a week during the this age. summer, getting 10-15 gallons each time.A approach trees of different ages, we have to first start at the beginning of any urban tree's life: planting. I know good rule of thumb is to drag a hose out to the base of the tree, put it arborists are not often consulted at the time a tree is being selected on trickle, then forget about it for an hour or two before turning it off. and stuck in the ground, but the importance of starting a tree off right Middle age trees cannot be overstated.As the first five years are critical to a tree's longAs a tree expands the reach of its root system, the need for suppleterm success, try to pass these three quick tips along to everyone you mental irrigation decreases, but certainly does not go away.Watering, know. First, the tree needs room both above and below ground to 14 Arbor Age / October 2013 www.arborage.com