Watering schedules for new plants are not cast in stone, however we have some tips to help. First, think about the location of the plant. Is the plant in full sun for long periods of time or is it mostly shaded? Is the root ball deep or shallow from the surface of the bed? Is the soil heavy or sandy? The answer to these questions is very important to the amount and frequency of watering. The best indicator for your plants watering needs is to take your finger and push it into the soil about an inch to an inch and a half. If the soil is moist skip the watering at this time but keep checking it until the soil begins to feel dry. When the soil is dry water heavily, starting with a light trickle directly on the root ball until a small puddle occurs, this will suffice as long as the water is percolating the surface. When the soil dries out an inch or two below the surface, water again. Trees that are planted deep into heavy clay may be a little tricky, be very cautious of over watering. A long stick or a probe may be used to check the moisture content of the soil deeper into the root zone of the plant.