25/02/2023
10 tips for planting better trees.
1. Plant high
- elevated planting puts trees in position for a later level planting. Trees settle in soft soils.
What’s more buried root crowns from cultivation can be corrected later.
2. Plant in fall
- deciduous trees planted in fall respond well, while evergreens fare better in spring.
The winter demand on evergreens planted in the Fall is more than they can bear. Spring planting of deciduous run them into summer too soon. (less shaded soil than an evergreen)
3. Plant them all
- diverse tree plantings combat the unknowns.
Insect and climate variations are impossible to predict. Who knows what tree will fare well.
4. Plant Small
- planting small trees gives you bigger trees quicker than big trees gives you big trees.
The larger the tree you plant, the more deficient the shoot to root ratio will be. These trees have an increased likelihood of transplant shock and have to dedicate more time to biomass replacement in the root zone.
5. Root Wash
- root washing allows for proper identification of deficiencies and correction prior to planting. Absence of circling root correction will take away any chance of success.
Also, proper planting heights can be determined by uncovering the root crown.
6. Flood it first
- the first watering is the most important. The tree has been sitting a in a container receiving small amounts of water that stay.
Once planted, water will go to the path of least resistance, which is away from the root ball. Most times, people water and it runs right around the root ball.
Aggressive first watering also assists with initial soil settling helping permeation of the root ball while reducing likelihood of transplant shock.
7. Mulch
- mulching a tree allows room for error as it shades soil and assists with evaporation.
It also provides a little known benefit of stabilization should you decide to forgo the antiquated practice of tree staking.
8. Plant for flow
- site location should incorporate water runoff from existing landscape features to assist with soil moisture levels.
It’s not realistic to water a tree forever and this one thing done well can cover a multitude of sins.
9. Plant in groups
- trees are communal and the benefits of wind loading dynamics, shading, root fusions and other soil assists only scratch the surface.
No tree is an island. If you ever find a forest of one tree, please let me know.
10. Plant for fun.
- don’t take yourself or your landscape too serious.
If you’re not enjoying your planting by doing something creative and out of sight, you have missed the point.
The destination is the journey, and the journey is to be loved.
