Following Up After Planting

Watering
Watering is the key to tree survival. It should be used when filling the planting hole to eliminate large air cavities, firm the soil around fine roots, and provide nourishment for the new tree. During planting, bare-root trees can be dipped in water-absorbing polymers. This amazing chemical comes under a variety of brand names and is available from nurseries. Its function is to attract water when abundant and hold it longer than the soil when conditions get dry. It can also be used with balled and burlapped trees, being mixed with the backfill. The effects last for about two years. With or without the aid of polymers, water deeply around your tree once a week during warm, dry spells

Um, IMHO you've drowned your new trees. "Killing them with kindness" sort of thing. Has it rained lately where you are? Has it been TX hot and dry? Is it dry down 2 inches into the dirt? Who told you about watering that often? The roots need to breathe. All that water has been cutting off air to the roots. PJ

Thanks Pjtexgirl but you are wrong .5gph was not enough with the extreme heat down here. I incresed the flow X8 to 4gph and the trees are recovering nicely now. I have seen pecan bottoms stay flooded for months and have not noticed any of the trees suffering.