1. Before We Arrive
Be sure to check your email! We will email you about (1) week in advance to confirm your tree planting date and time. At that same time, we will submit a dig ticket to J.U.L.I.E. to locate any underground utilities. Your utility companies will then come out to mark out where any underground utilities are using either spray paint or flags (sometimes both).
Before our arrival, we recommend that you pre-mark the area where your tree will be going. Pre-marking is especially important if you will not be home for delivery and planting. If you are planting more than one tree and are not going to be there, we ask that you label your markings somehow so we know what tree you want to go where. Paint stirring sticks are excellent for this!
Before you pre-mark your tree planting location, please consider your tree type and the location. How will your tree look and function in that space? Remember, be careful to consider the J.U.L.I.E. underground locate markings when making your decision. We have some great tips in our Design Center to help get you started. Please do not hesitate to give us a call to discuss this in detail. We want to ensure the very best site conditions for your new tree!
2. Delivery & Planting
On the day of delivery and planting, your trees will be hand-selected by the nursery. That is unless you have come out to our holding-yard and tagged your tree ahead of time. Our crew will have your trees loaded on the iTrees.com truck, secured, and ready to go very early in the morning. You can expect delivery within the two-hour time slot found in your scheduling email.
We try to be as diligent as possible to notify you if we are running early or late. If there is inclement weather in the forecast, we will wait to call you until the day of planting. If we need to cancel and we will get back to you about rescheduling as soon as we can.
We will dig the hole either by hand or using our Toro Dingo. The Toro Dingo is a 3 Ft Wide piece of equipment that is as turf safe as they come. The Toro Dingo is used to move the trees off the truck and to their location.
After we dig the hole, the crew will plant the tree, backfill, and mulch around it. We will also haul away any leftover dirt or sod. It’s important to us that your home looks as it was (or better) when we leave, except for now it has a tree there!
3. Tree Care
The most crucial part of tree care is watering. Newly planted trees require routine and thorough watering regularly for at least (3) years after planting.
· Water Your Tree Immediately
Water your tree immediately after planting. Consistent tree watering with a newly planted tree for the first few growing seasons will ensure a healthy tree for many years to come. The growing season in Chicagoland is usually mid-April to the middle/end of November (yes, you will still need to water your tree throughout fall).
· Water Once a Week
Once a week, put your hose at the base of the trunk and let the hose run on a very slow trickle for one hour. Quality hoses are a good investment. They will last the longest and will hold up when left outside. There are a few options here.
You can use a traditional garden hose or for more controlled water release, use a soaker ring, soaker hose, or a Treegator® Jr. Pro slow-release watering bag.
Pro-Tip →
Use a Treegator® Jr. Pro slow-release watering bag for Trees and Shrubs! This method is hands down the easiest and most efficient way to water your tree. Treegator® Jr. Pro is a slow-release watering system for newly planted trees.
Check out the How-To Video Here
4. Understanding Transplant Stress
Your newly planted tree is an investment— so you care for it like the asset that it is. You water it, nurture it, and then one day you start to see some leaves yellowing and browning, dropping even. You ask yourself, "Is my tree dying?"
We understand this can be a scary thought, and we are here to reassure you that your tree is probably not dying. Instead, the tree is suffering from what is commonly called transplant shock or transplant stress. iTrees.com takes careful precautions to minimize stress on trees during the delivery and installation process. Please understand that signs of stress due to transplanting is normal and expected.
· What it Looks Like
- Yellowing and browning of leaves
- Leaves wilting and dropping
· What Happens if My Tree is Dying
Trees are living organisms. Sometimes they do not make it. There are a few reasons why this could happen. We will personally work with you to either remedy the situation and your concerns or replace your tree through our iTrees.com Assurance™ Full Replacement Warranty.
Tree Planting Day: What You Can Expect— Before & After of River Birch Planted in the Fall
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