Planting trees is a complex and delicate task that requires attention to detail and care.

When trees are transplanted from nurseries to new environments, they need time to adapt to their new surroundings, which includes adjusting to the soil, water, light, and other environmental factors.

This adaptation process is critical to the tree’s survival, and during this period, proper maintenance and management are essential.

Implementing reasonable measures such as support, shading, and trunk protection can significantly improve a tree's survival rate. These practices not only help the tree recover more quickly but also ensure that it continues to grow healthily.

When planting large trees with a diameter of more than 5 cm at breast height, particularly in wind-prone areas, it is essential to secure their stability after planting. The tree’s crown can sway due to wind, destabilizing the root system and adversely affecting the tree’s health and recovery.

To prevent this, a bracket should be installed to stabilize the tree immediately after planting. This method helps minimize crown movement, allowing the root system to remain secure and the tree to grow steadily.

However, care must be taken to avoid placing the bracket directly on the tree's root ball or trunk, as this could lead to further root damage.

Different types of seedlings require different support systems during the tree-planting process. For bare-root seedlings, the pole-type support method is often used. This involves securing the tree trunk to a wooden stake with a rope.

The binding point is typically located at either one-third or two-thirds of the tree's height, ensuring the tree remains stable and is protected from the wind. To prevent damage to the bark, soft materials like linen or rubber should be placed between the trunk and the rope.

For seedlings with soil balls, a shoulder pole support system is commonly employed. This method involves placing stakes on either side of the tree and securing the trunk in the centre using a crossbar at the top.

The shoulder pole support provides stability without exerting excessive pressure on the tree's trunk or root system, promoting healthy growth.

In addition to these methods, triangular stakes and tic-tac-toe stakes are frequently used as support systems. Triangular stakes offer enhanced stability by providing support from three directions, while tic-tac-toe stakes evenly distribute external forces across the tree.

Both methods are not only effective for stabilizing the tree but also serve an aesthetic purpose, making them popular choices in urban green spaces and public parks. These designs blend into the surrounding landscape, improving the survival rate of transplanted trees and contributing to the beauty of the environment.

For large trees, proper water management following transplantation is crucial. In hot and dry conditions, providing shade for newly transplanted trees can reduce direct sunlight exposure, lower the temperature around the tree's crown, and decrease water evaporation.

This is especially important for larger trees, where full-crown shading is essential. The shade structure should be placed at least 50 cm away from the tree’s crown to ensure adequate air circulation. It helps protect the crown from sun damage while allowing the tree to breathe and carry out photosynthesis. A shade net with approximately 70% shading is ideal, as it provides enough diffuse light for the tree to maintain normal photosynthetic activity.

Once the tree has established itself, the shade structure can be gradually removed based on the tree’s growth and seasonal changes. In certain cases, plastic film is used to wrap the trunk for protection. This method is most effective when the tree is in a dormant state, as plastic film provides excellent insulation and is waterproof, helping the tree withstand cold temperatures.

However, plastic film is not breathable. If left on the tree after it begins to sprout, the lack of airflow can hinder the tree’s normal respiration, and the heat trapped inside the film during warmer temperatures can cause damage, including burns to buds or latent buds. Therefore, it is essential to remove the plastic film before the tree begins to sprout to avoid any negative impact.

For tree species with large trunk lenticels and significant transpiration rates, particularly evergreen broad-leaved trees, it is beneficial to wrap the trunks in straw ropes after planting. The wrapping should cover 1 to 2 meters of the trunk.

This practice reduces water loss through transpiration, significantly improving the tree’s chances of survival. In specific environmental conditions, wrapping the trunk also provides additional warmth and protection.

Post-transplant care is incomplete without proper trunk protection. Trunk wounds, whether caused by pests, frost, or pruning, should be treated promptly with protective agents like paint or Vaseline. These agents seal the wounds, preventing bacteria and pests from entering, and help the tree heal quickly.

Through careful management and maintenance techniques, the survival rate of transplanted trees can be significantly improved. With these methods in place, transplanted trees are more likely to integrate into their surroundings and flourish, contributing to the beauty and health of the environment.