Planting a tree then leaving the country....

fizzwhizz

Hi i may be overworrying but would it be a terrible idea to plant a tree this weekend (amelanchier) and then go away end of June for a week ... assuming worst case scenario of scorching sun the whole time, how much watering / mollycoddling will it need by the times it’s four weeks since planting. I can ask someone to come and water every few days but don’t want to be cheeky / demanding and they may not water deeply enough...  would you wait? I would rather do it properly and wait but it’s a special date this weekend so would be nice to do it if possible. I am in north Devon and we are already getting some pretty scorchio days 🌞

fizzwhizz

The tree would be in clay soil in a very sunny garden but in shade by approx. 4pm each day. 

Helix

After 4 weeks we would usually be watering once a week....you should be fine.  Water a lot the evening before you go and put extra mulch on top afterwards.

Papi Jo

Not the right time of the year for planting trees.

fizzwhizz

Oh is it not? I wondered (clearly not enough to google 😊) but the garden centre had one which is why I thought it might be ok. maybe there for the impulse buyers (too expensive for me to do that!) thank you for the feedback, will have to think of something else.

fizzwhizz

Sorry @helix did not see your reply, yes I will be doing that with all the other green babies (feels like I am leaving actual babies hence the anxiety!!)

Obelixx

When you water it, give it a good slurp every time - 10litres - and not dribbles.  Give it a good drink and a mulch as Helix suggests and it should be OK for a week.  Ask a neighbour or friend to give it a bucketful if there's a sudden heatwave.

For future reference, shrubs and trees establish better if planted in autumn, after leaf drop, as the soil is still relatively warm and there is usually plenty of rain so it just need a good planting hole and watering to start with.  It then has all winter to grow its root system quietly without any of the stresses of having to provide food and water for leaves and flowers.

Having planted yours recently you just need to make sure it gets watered all through this summer as it's busy both below and above soil and needs help.   It should be fine as long as it doesn't drown or go thirsty.

Nollie

Surely its only ‘not the right time’ if its a bare root tree? If its a potted specimen, I think you will be fine planting it out and it would dry out more quickly left in the pot - more risky to rely on someone watering a pot properly, I would think. Four weeks is plenty of settling in time if you plant it correctly and mulch it well, with a good deep water before you go as Helix says...

fizzwhizz

Thanks @Obelixx and @Nollie, you are building my confidence! 😁 I haven’t bought it yet but was hoping to this weekend to be sentimental! I reckon I might go for it 😁

Obelixx

Then make sure you plunge the entire pot and rootball in a big bucket of water until no further air bubbles appear.   Dig the planting hole just a bit deeper than the pot and twice as wide then mix the soil you've removed with some well-rotted garden compost or manure (or bought if needed).

Take the plant out of its pot, loosen the roots a bit with your fingers to encourage them to grow out into the soil and back fill with your soil mixture.  Firm gently with your heel and then level.  Stake it with a low support tied with a proper plant support which allows for adjustment as it grows and then water well.   Mulch afterwards with more manure or some chipped bark as this helps retain moisture. 

Carry on watering as advised above.