Most trees that die in the first three years were killed at planting, not by weather.
1. Planted too deep
The root flare — where the trunk widens into roots — belongs at or slightly above finished grade. Buried flare means a slow decline over several years.
2. Mulch volcano
Mulch piled against the trunk holds moisture on bark that needs to stay dry. Keep it back a hand's width.
3. Circling roots
Container-grown stock often has roots circling the pot. Left alone they girdle the tree. They get teased out or cut at planting.
4. Staking too long or too tight
Some movement builds trunk strength. Stakes come off after a season, and ties never cut into bark.
5. Watering wrong
Deep and infrequent beats daily sprinkling. New trees need serious water in the first two seasons, delivered to the root ball rather than the lawn around it.
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ReadFree estimate
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