Many of you will probably taken advantage of upcoming warm spring days to get out and plant trees. Whether you planted one tree in your backyard or 500 on your woodlot, these trees need post-planting care. The two main reasons for seedling death are weed competition and insufficient moisture.
Weeds compete with trees for moisture and nutrients.
They should be removed from around trees for at least the first three years. A clean planting site will also remove the habitat of mice and gophers that can seriously damage seedlings. Water long enough for the water to penetrate the soil deeply. Stop watering one month before the average date of the first frost in your area. Livestock, deer, elk, and a variety of rodents and other small animals can do considerable damage to seedlings, especially broad-leaved species.