Once the soil around the root ball has been firmly trodden down, the top layer can be finished. Usually, simply raking it level is sufficient, with enriched planting soil added if required depending on the planting chosen for the bed. It is important that no planting is placed directly on the root ball. The root ball itself should therefore remain free of planting. It may, however, be sown right up to the edge of the root ball. Because the top of the root ball remains fully intact, including the jute and wire basket, there is also no room to place other planting directly beneath the tree. Where irrigation is used, it is also important to leave space for this, and if the pipework is already in place, it must be handled carefully to prevent leakage.

To keep the watering rim firmly in place, it is important to bury at least one third of its height (approx. 10 cm). For effective use, the watering rim should extend at least twenty centimetres above ground level. The watering rim can be secured by screwing it to the tree stakes. However, this makes the material difficult to remove and unsuitable for reuse after removal. A good option is to fix the watering rim in place with ground anchors. If the watering rim is placed on the outside of the tree stakes, unscrewing and removing it remains a relatively straightforward task. If the watering rim is placed on the inside of the tree stakes, removal takes more time.

The final step after planting is to connect the drip irrigation. Drip irrigation is an efficient way to provide the tree with moisture directly and in a controlled manner. By watering the trees separately from the surrounding planting, you can adjust the dosage very precisely. A drip line is a flexible hose with evenly spaced openings that release a constant amount of water when there is sufficient water pressure. For even irrigation, a maximum length of around 30 metres is recommended. Drip irrigation offers many advantages, such as high water efficiency (more than 90%), water saving and ease of use.

There are above-ground and below-ground drip lines. Below-ground systems are permanent and deliver water directly to the roots, while above-ground systems are easier to inspect and expand. Pressure-compensating drip lines provide the most accurate and even water distribution.

The correct diameter of the watering rim is crucial for the system to function optimally. As a general rule, the advice is to use a watering rim with a diameter equal to that of the root ball. The tree mainly absorbs moisture through the fine feeder roots located around the edge and in the outer parts of the root ball. The watering rim should therefore never be more than 20% larger than the diameter of the root ball, otherwise the feeder roots may not be able to reach the water. If the watering rim is smaller, the feeder roots will extend beyond the rim and the water will sink into the soil around the trunk, where the coarse anchoring roots that do not absorb moisture are located. If the watering rim is larger, a great deal of water will be lost around the root ball.

Proper watering immediately after planting is crucial, mainly to ensure that the soil settles closely around the roots and that no air pockets can form in the soil. This is especially important when planting bare-root stock. For root-balled trees, this is slightly less critical because the roots have been lifted together with the surrounding soil. As part of aftercare, watering is particularly important during the first years after planting. During dry periods, the tree will not yet be able to find enough water on its own, because its root surface area is not yet in proportion to the size of its crown. Watering is therefore indispensable during the first years after planting.

Would you like to know more about the correct way to water? Please refer to Watering & drought.