For many states, Arbor Day (the official tree planting day) happens in January. It's a great reminder to go out there, plant, prune, trim and deadhead-but not if you're making common planting mistakes. There's a reason there are expert arborists, licensed trimming professionals and a variety of certificates available for those who have a green thumb: It's not easy. Even the seemingly simple act of planting a tree can be a challenge.
Depending on where you live, there are different "prime times" to plant a tree, but January is certainly a top contender. Shade trees usually "take" best in the autumn and winter, but if you mix in some faulty planting practices you might be setting yourself up for disaster. It's not just the planting: It's also immediate follow-up care, too. Avoid making these major faux pas, and you'll get yourself on the fast track to a gorgeous landscape in no time:
1. Choose the right tree
This seems like obvious advice, but a poor quality tree or the wrong tree in the right spot can be detrimental. Remember that not every tree available for sale is of good quality-and they might not be good quality for your specific region. Watch out for plants growing out of the container or any bark damage on younger trees. If you see these red flags, you're signing on for a fixer upper.
You also need to ensure the tree will thrive in your chosen environment. Think about mature spread, height and make sure you have room for it to reach its full potential. You should also check the soil drainage, sun/shade exposure and pH of the soil to make sure the tree is a good fit for your location.
2. Just the right depth
Planting too deeply can cause big problems, so aim to have the root ball's top to be level with the grade. The lower part of the trunk shouldn't be buried in soil, and employ a lighter touch with mulching. Too much mulching is the same error as overly-deep planting. Aim for about three inches of mulch below the canopy. However, be wary of shallow planting, too-a root ball that's exposed will become dry.
3. Just the right width
Every time you plant a tree, make sure the hole is between two and three times wider than the root ball. This will encourage root development laterally. Roots grow out, not down, so give it a fighting chance. Width that's too narrow or too wide will cause your tree to struggle to grow, ultimately leading to a weak tree that won't thrive.
Finally, also check for any root-bound trees and free them before planting. When finishing your planting, use the same soil that you dug-don't modify the backfill with bark or compost. That can cause issues with water migration. Follow the recommended pruning and watering for your species, and resist the temptation to over-trim this season. Your tree has enough challenges getting literally uprooted and starting over.
Jill Smith is a writer and researcher. She is the Director of Digital Content Marketing for Be Locally SEO where she enjoys helping clients expand and improve their businesses through articles, blogs, website content and more.
She recommends Reliable Tree Care of Murray, Utah for all your tree planting and other professional tree services.
Article provided by Jill Smith
Depending on where you live, there are different "prime times" to plant a tree, but January is certainly a top contender. Shade trees usually "take" best in the autumn and winter, but if you mix in some faulty planting practices you might be setting yourself up for disaster. It's not just the planting: It's also immediate follow-up care, too. Avoid making these major faux pas, and you'll get yourself on the fast track to a gorgeous landscape in no time:
1. Choose the right tree
This seems like obvious advice, but a poor quality tree or the wrong tree in the right spot can be detrimental. Remember that not every tree available for sale is of good quality-and they might not be good quality for your specific region. Watch out for plants growing out of the container or any bark damage on younger trees. If you see these red flags, you're signing on for a fixer upper.
You also need to ensure the tree will thrive in your chosen environment. Think about mature spread, height and make sure you have room for it to reach its full potential. You should also check the soil drainage, sun/shade exposure and pH of the soil to make sure the tree is a good fit for your location.
2. Just the right depth
Planting too deeply can cause big problems, so aim to have the root ball's top to be level with the grade. The lower part of the trunk shouldn't be buried in soil, and employ a lighter touch with mulching. Too much mulching is the same error as overly-deep planting. Aim for about three inches of mulch below the canopy. However, be wary of shallow planting, too-a root ball that's exposed will become dry.
3. Just the right width
Every time you plant a tree, make sure the hole is between two and three times wider than the root ball. This will encourage root development laterally. Roots grow out, not down, so give it a fighting chance. Width that's too narrow or too wide will cause your tree to struggle to grow, ultimately leading to a weak tree that won't thrive.
Finally, also check for any root-bound trees and free them before planting. When finishing your planting, use the same soil that you dug-don't modify the backfill with bark or compost. That can cause issues with water migration. Follow the recommended pruning and watering for your species, and resist the temptation to over-trim this season. Your tree has enough challenges getting literally uprooted and starting over.
Jill Smith is a writer and researcher. She is the Director of Digital Content Marketing for Be Locally SEO where she enjoys helping clients expand and improve their businesses through articles, blogs, website content and more.
She recommends Reliable Tree Care of Murray, Utah for all your tree planting and other professional tree services.
Article provided by Jill Smith