Tree Care
Watering
Water your tree at least once a week in the dry months and in between rainstorms in the winter during the first three years. You may need to water more frequently in warmer weather. Young trees require ten gallons of water once a week—that’s two five-gallon buckets a week or a low-pressure soak with the garden hose for 15 minutes, twice a week. It is important to water new, young trees deeply & regularly. After the first three years, your tree may still need watering occasionally.
Weeding
Keep the area around your tree free of weeds and grass. They compete with the tree for water and nutrients. Use a hand tool to remove grass and weeds within a 4-foot square around the base of the tree. Do not use weed eaters or mowers to trim grass or weeds around your tree. They can damage bark on the tree trunk, interfering with the tree’s nutrition and circulation, and may cause the tree to die.
Mulching
Place mulch around the base of your tree to control weeds and conserve water. Apply mulch 2-4 inches deep and extend 18-24 inches in each direction. Mulch should be replaced once a year in the spring. Do not place mulch against the trunk of the tree. It can cause decay of the bark at the base of the tree.
Feeding
Do not use fertilizer to feed your tree. It can attract aphids and other tree pests. If you want to feed your tree, use good quality compost once a year in the spring. Keep compost away from the base of the trunk by at least 6-8 inches.
Pruning
Do not prune your street tree! Young trees need all their foliage for the first few years to become established. It is important to leave the lower branches on a young tree. The tree may look more like a shrub, but those lower branches are providing much needed nutrients to the trunk of a young tree.
Problem Solving
Trees face many other challenges such as whiteflies, aphids, scale and sooty mold, and misuse. They can also show signs of windburn, soil compaction, and/or water not reaching the roots. If you are worried about your new tree, please email City's Urban Greening Program. If you have questions about existing, mature trees on your street, please contact Salinas' Urban Forestry staff at (831) 758-7233 M-F. You can also reach them via your smart mobile device at Salinas Connect. Information on how to establish Salinas Connect on your phone is described below:
Download the SalinasConnect app (see below) or logon to the SalinasConnect website to report tree or other issues. Through SalinasConnect you can report a variety of tree and other issues on public or private property, you can pinpoint the location with Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and you can also submit photos of the issue you are reporting.
Your report through SalinasConnect will be routed to the appropriate department for handling and resolution. You can review your existing requests, send updates, and opt-in to receive phone, text message, or email notifications of status changes on your requests.
Download SalinasConnect for:
Andoid, iOS, or submit a request online.
For information on trees:
Urban Greening Program / Salinas Trees
Department of Public Works | City of Salinas
426 Work St | Salinas, CA 93901
PHONE:831-758-7233| FAX: 831-758-7940
EMAIL: City's Urban Greening Program
For additional Tree Care Information, please check out:
Tree Care