Stake the tree only if necessary . Consult a professional if staking is required. Stakes should not be left in place longer than 1 year. Wood chips, pine bark, leaf litter, hay, etc. are great mulches. Mulching keeps soil temperature fluctuations to a minimum and increases soil moisture retention.
Mulches also suppress weed growth and organic mulches add nutrients to the soil as they decompose.
Water the tree for at least the first 2 years, but do not over water . A newly planted tree requires 6-8 gallons of water per diameter inch of trunk per week. A thorough soaking is much better than light, frequent watering. A wire-mesh cage at least 3 feet in diameter and 4 feet tall staked to the ground works miracles. Deer and livestock will eat your tree if it is not protected and weed-whackers will kill your tree in an instant.