Water the newly planted tree.

Once the tree is planted, water it and keep up a regular schedule of watering. This will help the roots become established in the surrounding soil. Water the tree every day for several weeks to let the roots get established. After this, you can reduce the frequency of watering. Water as necessary for the conditions in your area. Take into consideration humidity, rainfall, and sunshine to help you decide when to water your tree. If you are planting fruit or nut trees for a small home orchard, continue to water weekly for the life of the tree, as your crop depends on consistent irrigation. You’ll also want to fertilize fruit and nut trees monthly, or according to package directions.

Use mulch.

Considering adding a layer of mulch around your tree to help keep moisture in and weeds out.Cover the planting hole with 1-3 inches (2.5 cm - 7.6 cm) of shredded hardwood or leaf mulch. Keep the mulch at least 12 inches away from the trunk or it may cause the trunk to rot. Mulching around the tree will protect the tree from trampling and lawnmowers, which are two activities that commonly kill young trees.

Prune the tree if necessary.

If there are any broken, dead, or diseased limbs on your tree, remove them gently with a knife or gardening shears. If there is nothing wrong with the tree, there is no need to prune it until after the first growing season.

Enjoy the tree as it grows over the years.

Appreciate its shade and beauty and thank yourself for adding another tree to the world. You won't regret it and as long as you properly care for it, the tree can grow a long time! You’ll need to make sure that you water your plant to keep it thriving. You want to achieve a balance of giving it enough water to penetrate the roots while not drowning it. Watering your tree with a steady stream from a garden hose for about 30 seconds should be sufficient. The soil should feel moist at all times and mulch will help retain the moisture. Check soil moisture by digging about 2” below the surface and then use your finger to test if soil is moist. If it is, you don’t need to water.