Field guide
Plan for a new tree’s first year
Set up the care instructions, tools, and records before your Fairfax County planting day.
Planting day is the start of the commitment. A new tree needs someone to notice its condition, follow the care instructions, and ask for help when those instructions do not fit what is happening on the ground. Planning that responsibility is as important as choosing who will deliver the tree.
Ask for instructions for the tree you bought
Request written guidance that identifies the plant and the type of stock supplied. A small seedling and a larger container-grown tree are not interchangeable projects. Ask who will set the planting depth, prepare the roots, and explain any supports or protection provided.
Virginia Cooperative Extension’s seedling guide is useful for small planting stock, while its Planting Trees publication provides broader planting guidance. Match the reference to the actual tree rather than borrowing an instruction from an unrelated planting example.
Make watering someone’s responsibility
Before the tree arrives, check that your chosen watering method can reach the location. Agree who will check it, including during travel or busy weeks. Ask the supplier or planting professional how to assess moisture and adjust care for the tree, soil, and weather. Avoid treating a fixed calendar reminder as proof that watering is needed.
Use the reminder to check conditions and record what you do. A short entry might say “checked soil as instructed; watered slowly; photographed leaves.” If something seems wrong, that record gives the person advising you useful context.
Check the finish around the trunk
Mulch is part of tree care, not just a finishing decoration. Virginia Cooperative Extension’s mulching guidance explains its role in protecting the planting area and cautions against poor placement. Have the installer show you the intended mulch depth and how to keep it away from the trunk. Do not add a fresh layer merely because the previous one has changed color.
Keep the care instructions with the plant label and purchase record. If guards, ties, or stakes are installed, record who will inspect them and when they should be adjusted or removed. These items should be part of a care plan rather than forgotten accessories.
Prepare a handover checklist
- Record the species, planting date, and source.
- Photograph the completed planting from a consistent viewpoint.
- Save the moisture-checking and watering instructions.
- Assign a person to routine checks and holiday cover.
- Record any follow-up appointments or supplier conditions.
If leaves wilt, discolor, or change unexpectedly, describe what you see and contact the supplier or a qualified professional. Do not respond by automatically adding fertilizer or more water. A symptom can have more than one explanation.