| Planting a tree near your home or in your
community is a great idea. There are many reasons why you may want to plant a
tree including: |
| . |
memorial/gift
privacy
reduce soil erosion
winter windbreak
summer cooling
reduce air pollution |
increase
property value
fall color
and /or spring blooms
fruits and nuts
wildlife
habitat
landscape design
sight or sound barrier |
| In order to ensure that your tree planting is a
success, there are several things to keep in mind: |
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SITE–choose a site that has good soil, water and light
conditions and gives the tree plenty of room to grow. Beware of buried utility
lines! |
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TREE SELECTION–select a tree species that will thrive
in your chosen site and that meets your goals for planting a tree. |
| |
QUALITY–know what to look for when purchasing a tree
from a nursery or garden center. |
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TRANSPORTATION and STORAGE–know how to safely
transport your tree to the planting site and store it for a short period of
time if immediate planting is not feasible. |
| |
PLANTING and CARING–know how to properly plant and
care for the tree in order to give it the greatest chance for surviving and
thriving. |
| 1. |
In selecting a SITE to plant a tree you want to make
sure to look up, down, and all around! The main thing to notice in looking up
is if there are any utility lines nearby, if so how far away? Are there buried
utility lines? Contact your local power company if you are not sure. In looking
down, think about a trees roots that are a main part of its life support
system, drawing up water and nutrients from the soil. A tree’s roots
extend well beyond its branches. Is there enough room for the roots to spread
out? In looking all around, are there buildings, other trees or shrubs,
sidewalks, curbs, streets nearby? How does the site fit into the larger
environment? Is it a sunny or shady spot? What is the predominant wind
direction?
Besides the physical location where the tree is to be
planted, think about the SOIL that it is going into. Is it a sandy soil
that water rapidly moves through, leaving your tree high and dry? Or is it a
clay soil that may hold water for too long? The pH of a soil indicates its
acidity or alkalinity. Most plants do best in soil pH between 5.5-7.0. Is the
soil easy to dig into? If not it may be compacted. You may want to consider
having your soil tested by your local Extension agent or at a local garden
center. They could make recommendations if any soil improvements are needed.
How deep is the soil? Trees need about 30 inches of good soil to be
healthy. |
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| 2. |
In SELECTING A TREE to match the site the most
important thing to remember is that a tree grows! Try to envision what this
tree will look like in 10 and 50 years? How tall will the tree get and how
wide? How fast will it grow? What shape will it be? Does this particular type
of tree like sun or shade, a dry soil or can it tolerate a wetter soil? What
will the flowers and fruits be like? What is its fall color? Are there many of
this same type of tree in the community? Having a large variety of trees in an
ecosystem makes the entire ecosystem healthier and helps your tree to avoid
possible insect and disease outbreaks. Also, selecting a tree that is highly
suited to the site you have chosen will result in a healthier tree which is
better able to survive stresses such as insects, diseases, pollution, drought,
injury, wind, snow, or ice storms.
For more information about selecting the right tree for
your site, check out these publications:
“Tree
Selection” bulletin from the International Society of Arboriculture:
“The
Right Tree Handbook” produced by the University of Minnesota, Northern
States Power, and Minnesota Power. |
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| 3. |
In PURCHASING YOUR TREE it is very important to
remember that how it was grown in the nursery will influence its chances for a
successful transplant to the location you have chosen. In choosing your tree
remember “R.I.F”–roots, injuries, and form. ROOTS: is there an
adequately sized root ball? The diameter of the root ball should be at least
10-12 times the diameter of the trunk. Are the roots healthy, not obviously
crushed or torn? INJURIES: is the trunk free from mechanical wounds or wounds
from incorrect pruning? Injuries could be hidden beneath trunk wraps. FORM:
does the tree have good, strong form with branches evenly spaced along the
trunk and strong attachments to the trunk?
For more information about purchasing a high-quality tree,
check out this publication:
“Buying High-Quality Trees” bulletin from the International Society
of Arboriculture: |
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| 4. |
Carefully TRANSPORTING your tree to the planting
site will also increase the chance for a successful planting. Using a larger
vehicle with a trunk or a trailer can reduce the chance of injuring the tree.
Gently wrap the leaves or needles to protect them from the sun and wind. Be
sure to cushion the stem and branches, and tie the tree down securely. Avoid
traveling at high speeds. Ideally the tree should be planted immediately, but
if this is not possible keep the tree roots moist and STORE away from
direct exposure to wind and sun, preferably in a shady spot outdoors. |
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| 5. |
PLANTING THE TREE, finally! In digging the hole
remember that most of a tree’s roots grow horizontally, just below the
soil surface and can spread out well beyond the branches, so the hole should be
big enough to give the roots a chance to spread out. Make the hole wide, at
least two to three times the width of the root ball especially if the soil is
compacted and hard, but only as deep as the root ball. The best way to make
sure you plant the tree at the right depth is to identify the trunk flare where
the roots spread out at the base of the tree. This point should be partially
visible after planting. Make sure the tree is straight in the hole before
backfilling.
| How Deep Should You Plant? |
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Under normal conditions, root growth is best
encouraged by planting even with the surrounding terrain. |
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When wet conditions or heavy soil are problems,
raising about 1/3 of the root ball above ground will aid the spread of lateral
roots. |
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In arid climates, a basin can be used to collect
precious water. |
| Illustrations provided by the
National Arbor Day Foundation, Tree City USA Bulletin No. 19
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For additional information and illustrations on tree
planting check out the bulletins at the
National Arbor Day Foundation
Staking is usually not necessary, however if staking is
necessary for support, use two stakes and a wide flexible tie material to
reduce the chance of injuring the tree. Place mulch at the base of the tree.
Mulch helps the soil to retain moisture, reduces competition from grass and
weeds, and protects the trunk from injury due to lawn mowers, weed whackers,
and other harmful objects. Mulch 2-4 inches deep 3-4 feet out and do not put
right next to the trunk. Keep the soil moist but not soaked. Water about once a
week, more frequently during hot weather, continuing until mid-fall.
For more information about planting a new tree, check out
this publication:
“New
Tree Planting” bulletin from the International Society of
Arboriculture:
After planting care of your tree is very important to keep
it happy and healthy! Inspecting your tree regularly will help you to see
potential problems before it's too late. See the International Society of
Arboriculture's
"Mature Tree
Care" bulletin. Be sure to keep the mulch intact and replace as needed to
maintain the 2-4 inch depth. Keep weeds from invading the planting site by
hand-pulling them as chemicals can harm the tree. Weeds and other vegetation
compete with tree roots for moisture and nutrients. Continue to water as needed
for the first few years, especially during drought conditions. Fertilization,
only if necessary, should be done with care and in the fall of the tree's
second growing season. Over-fertilization or improper fertilization can be
harmful to a tree. For more information on fertilization see
"Fertilizing
Landscape Trees and Shrubs." Pruning is very important and will help the
tree grow properly and safely. See"How to Prune Trees" by the USDA
Forest Service. For additional information about tree care, see the National
Arbor Day Foundation's"9 Things You Should Know
About Trees."
Asking the right questions and following these tips will
greatly increase the chances that the tree you have chosen will last a long
time! For further tree planting information:
Within the
20 Midwest and Northeastern states contact: http://www.fs.fed.us/na/coopters.html
Outside of our 20 state area: http://www.firstgov.gov/ |
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