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Sunday, January 15, 2012

"I Think I Shall Never See A Thing As Lovely As A Tree"

So now that you have your list of fast-growing trees, let's discuss how to plant and care for them. 

For Your Consideration
Before planting, you need to think about where you want to place your trees. Trees need to be planted at least 10-15 feet away from your foundation and at least 5 feet from surfaces, such as driveways and sidewalks. Look above and look below-are their utility lines? Always be sure to call Miss Dig before beginning any project that involves excavation. If you plan on mixing trees remember, evergreens in back, then deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves), shrubs, and flowers in front. Layering trees this way mimics a natural wood line


Planting and Backfilling
You want to give your trees a healthy start by avoiding the stress of heat, so plant in the spring or fall. The hole where you will be placing your new tree should be 2x as wide as the diameter of the rootball and 2x more shallow than the root ball’s depth .If your soil is of poor quality, make the hole the same depth but 3-5x wider than the rootball. Uncurl any roots and straighten them so that they grow outward from the trunk. If the roots are left to curl, they will cut into the trunk as your tree grows. When backfilling the hole, be sure to leave the rootball 1/2-1 inch above the soil surface. If soil covers the the top of the rootball, it could lead to trunk rot. Firmly pack down the soil as you backfill. Do this at various intervals; do not wait to do this until the end or else your tree is going to topple over.


When backfilling, you want to create a berm of loose soil around the outer edge of the planting hole. This helps retain and direct water to the root ball. You will need to give your new tree approximately 15 gallons of water after the initial planting. Afterwards, you should check the tree at least once a week. You can then monitor and adjust your watering schedule according to the needs of the tree.


Staking
Next, you will need to stake down your trees if they are unable to stand on their own. Be sure to use soft, pliable tree ties. Never use wire as it will damage the tree's trunk. Be sure to place the supports as low on the trunk as possible. Check the stakes on a regular basis to make sure they are not damaging the trunk. Stakes should be ready for removal after 6-12 months.


Mulching
Finally, you will need to mulch. Cover the entire planting area with a 3-4 inch layer, making sure to keep the mulch at least 2 inches away from the trunk.






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