New and Young Tree Care

Urban Forestry crews plant trees in the spring and fall. We rely on your help to care for the trees in this early stage of their life.

The advice on this page also applies to trees you plant on your private property.  Madison has ambitious canopy goals.  To reach the goals, we also need trees planted in private spaces that can support them.

How to Care for Newly Planted Trees

• Water the tree. Soil should be moist but not saturated. During dry periods, 10 gallons a week may be needed.
• Maintain the mulch ring. Mulch helps to retain soil moisture and adds nutrients to the soil. Add mulch as needed to maintain a depth of 3-4 inches but keep mulch off the bark of the tree.
• Avoid damage to the bark from lawnmowers, string trimmers and other lawn care equipment. Lawn care is a common cause of young tree failure.

• Avoid any chemical application near the young tree. 

  •  Chemical application is a common cause of accidentally killing trees.

  Special Considerations for Trees Planted by Urban Forestry

• We track all newly planted trees. Typically, their first pruning will be done in year four or five of this new tree's long life.

• Urban Forestry stakes all young trees planted in the terrace. Crews will remove the stakes after 1 full growing season. 

  • The stakes are not meant to help a tree grow straight. Instead, the stakes are meant to keep the tree upright while roots establish. Staking to keep a tree straight often leads to failure at the ties.

  Getting a New Tree in the Fall?

  The tree needs water this time of year as well. Keep the tree watered until the ground freezes.