From Fred Zahrt of Winamac Greenspace

Since the Winamac area has had only 3.59" of rain since the beginning of March, residents should water and mulch their trees, especially if they have been planted in the last three years.

The mulch decreases evaporation and prevents weeds and grass from growing next to the trees. Mulch also stops vegetation from taking the water that should go to the tree. Putting five layers of newspaper under the mulch will prevent weeds from growing up through it for more than a year, and the eliminate the need to pull weeds.

If your tree has defoliated (dropped its leaves), water anyway. Trees under stress sometimes defoliate; and after receiving water, they re-foliate.  This happened this year to several of the larger maple trees Greenspace planted last year. 

Smaller tress survive stress better than larger ones. They also require less water than large ones. That's another reason to plant trees that are in the neighborhood of 1.75" in diameter. It's more cost effective and they have a better survival rate.

I recommend one gallon of water per day for anything under 2" diameter and three gallons a day for trees over 2" in diameter - until Thanksgiving - even if it rains. 

Trees that have been planted for at least a year that look a little stressed can be helped by applying a fertilizer with  a high nitrogen content. I have successfully utilized a fertilizer with an analysis of 24-8-16...24% Nitrogen; 8% Phosphate and 16% soluble Potash. The one I use is Miracle-Gro; and it's available at most hardware/lawn/garden stores.

And, don't forget: DON'T TOP TREES!!