Question
I've planted a half dozen trees about 6 feet tall for privacy and want to grow them as fast as possible.I can water easily, assume a drip system best. How much water should they get and at what interval? They are on a N/S orientation on a red clay hillside in central Georgia. I drilled a 12 inch hole through the hardpan, mixed manure compost in hole. Also what about fertilizer?

Thanks,

Answer
i'm in southern NJ, but the requirements are the same. w/clay soil the ground will stay wet longer. when you planted them you should have made a saucer (dam) around the base of the plants 3-4' wide. this will allow rain water to accumulate and slowly drain through the root system. the compost material will help the soil drain excess water and absorb water during dry spells. also it is a good long term fertilizer & soil additive. water once every 1-2 weeks depending on the temps and rainfall. they need about 1" of rain per week during 60-80 degree days. if the temps are below 60 - 1" of rain per 2 weeks is sufficient. if rainfall occurs during the 2 week period they should need no additional waterings. if the temps are above 80 - water w/ 5 gallons of water per plant every 5 days. again if you recieve ample rain put off extra waterings. most people kill their plants by watering too frequently or not at all during hot dry spells. after the 1st planting year they will only need additional watering during hot dry spells.
get to your local garden center/nursery and buy some hollytone(by espoma) or other suitable granular evergreen fertilizer. sprinkle one coffee cupfull around the bases of the plants in early spring and again in early fall each year. keep them pruned to about the same size to make them look uniform.
good luck
rick