Protect Earth's Essential Tips for Protecting New Plants

Newly planted trees are vulnerable to all the seasonal elements as they find their place in the world.

During the spring and summer months, as the UK sees mass precipitation, the occasional patch of sun, and sometimes very high temperatures, Protect Earth nurses saplings, encouraging these nascent habitats to maturity so they can balance the increasing weather extremes.

Steve, the ecologist, shares his advice and tips for plant maintenance and what we recommend to our partner landowners.

The Role of Guards and Stakes in Young Plant Health

Tree guards are tubes protecting newly planted trees, while stakes are posts driven into the ground, providing stability.

When a new sapling is first planted, it's recommended to be planted with a guard and stake. Sometimes, they're not correctly set up, or something can nudge them, resulting in less-than-optimal tree protection.

If you have guards and stakes, check them.

Guards should touch the ground with no gaps around the base, preventing nibblers from getting in and doing damage. Guards should be left in place for 3-5 years, although it's better to be cautious and leave them for five years, especially if deer populations are high where you live.

Give stakes a wiggle. If they don't feel too steady in the ground, encourage them to stay upright and in the ground by taking a mallet or hammer and firmly knocking them back securely.

The Importance of Weed Control

The area around trees also benefits from occasional maintenance.

It's good to remove large weeds. But don't regularly mow around them (this makes the grass grow more vigorous and thirstier for water). 

Some people dislike using glyphosate, while others are happy to use it. Consider employing a contractor with a knapsack sprayer to spray around the base of the trees in early spring - anytime through April. This is an excellent way to suppress grass and weeds and ensure the young trees get enough water. 

Mulch: Nature's Sunscreen for Young Plants

Mulch is another tool, like stakes and guards, protecting young trees.

The ground will dry out as the weather warms and the sun becomes more intense. Mulching around the base of a tree adds a protective layer that absorbs some of the sun's damage. Mulch also keeps any moisture in the ground, which benefits the trees.

Lastly, mulch discourages weeds and grasses from sprouting up around new trees, competing for nutrients and moisture.

Wood chips make a good mulch, and you can get some here – for free: https://freewoodchips.co.uk/.

Spotting Drought Stress in Plants

Keep an eye on the weather. Drought will affect trees. Symptoms of trees suffering from drought stress include yellowing, wilting or curling up of the leaves. If you experience a prolonged period of drought in your area, let us know.

To sum up

You've made some effort to plan and plant trees, and while a lot of the work is now done, there are still some checks and maintenance needed, so your hard work is worth it!

If you have any questions about the advice given or about maintenance, please contact us. Additionally, if you're overwhelmed with what to do and where to start, we can also help.