How to Look After Your Trees in the Heat and Why Planting in the Warmer Months Has Big Benefits

As the temperature rises, trees and gardens can experience extra stress. But with the right care, your trees will not only cope, they will thrive.
Contrary to popular belief, planting during the warmer months can actually help trees establish faster, provided you give them the right attention in those crucial first weeks.

Here’s how to care for your trees during the heat and why now is a great time to plant.

1. Keep on Top of Weeds

Weeds compete with young trees for moisture and nutrients, especially during summer. Regular weeding ensures that every drop of water and dose of fertiliser benefits your trees, not the surrounding grass or unwanted growth.

Tip:

Apply an organic mulch layer (about 5–8cm thick) around the base of your trees to suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, and moderate soil temperature. Keep mulch a few centimetres away from the trunk to avoid rot.

2. Use Seasol and Water Wisely

In the warmer months, regular watering combined with Seasol or a similar seaweed solution helps reduce transplant shock and promotes root growth.
Seaweed tonics improve soil health, stimulate new feeder roots, and help trees handle temperature stress.

Tip:

Apply Seasol every 1–2 weeks for the first 6–8 weeks after planting.

Water early in the morning or late evening to reduce evaporation.

3. Set Up a Regular Watering Program

Consistency is key. Trees need deep, slow watering to encourage roots to grow down into cooler, moister soil layers. Shallow, frequent watering keeps roots at the surface, which makes them more vulnerable in heatwaves.

Tip:

Water 2–3 times per week for the first few months after planting.

Use a drip system or soaker hose rather than overhead watering to reduce waste.

During hot spells (30°C and above), monitor moisture daily and adjust as needed.

4. The Benefits of Planting in the Warmer Months

While many gardeners wait for winter, planting in the warmer months can actually give your trees a head start, as long as you maintain a steady watering routine.

Here’s why summer planting can be beneficial:

• Faster root growth: Warm soil encourages rapid root establishment.
• Stronger top growth: With plenty of sunlight, trees photosynthesise more efficiently.
• Early establishment: By the time cooler months arrive, roots are well anchored and ready for new growth next spring.

Extended growing window: Trees planted now will settle before winter dormancy, putting them months ahead of winter plantings.

When properly cared for, summer-planted trees often outperform winter-planted ones by the following year.

5. Why You Don’t Need to Wait for Winter

Winter used to be considered the only safe planting window, but with today’s quality container-grown trees, you can plant year-round.
By waiting for winter, you lose valuable growing time. With careful watering and a bit of mulch, trees planted now will be thriving before winter even begins.

Tip:

Focus on planting early in the morning or late in the day to reduce transplant stress and help moisture stay where it’s needed.

Final Thoughts

With the right care, your trees can thrive even in the height of summer. Regular watering, weed management, and soil conditioning make all the difference, and the reward is faster establishment and stronger growth heading into the cooler months.

So don’t wait for winter. Plant now, give your trees a good start, and enjoy seeing them settle and flourish before the year ends.