Losing a tree leaves a hole in the garden that money—and patience—struggle to fill. Keep them healthy and you’ll save yourself heartbreak (and a fortune).

• Young trees need love. Nurseries water daily, so when you plant one out, don’t abandon it. Keep watering until roots settle into the soil and can fend for themselves.

• Old trees aren’t invincible. Big roots still need water, especially in drought. A long, deep soak once a week beats a daily sprinkle. Think quality, not quantity.

• Feed wisely. Scatter a slow-release feed (like chicken manure or blood and bone) over the root zone—the circle starting half a metre from the trunk and stretching a metre past the canopy. Then give the leaves a liquid feed via a hose-on sprayer for a quick pick-me-up. Do it in autumn and again in late spring.

• Prune gently. Trees don’t need much snipping, but when you do, prune to shape, remove diseased or rubbing branches, and clean up wounds before pathogens move in. Winter makes deciduous trees easier, spring suits evergreens.

• Aim smaller than your dream shape. Trees grow into the gap. Better to prune back with future growth in mind than chase after it later.

Healthy trees reward you for decades; stressed trees just remind you of what you’ve lost.