How easy is it to plant a tree?

 Quite often Im asked a variation on the same question. Sometimes the
question is asked by visitors to my nursery; other times I find the
question in my e-mail from a reader of this column. And sometimes the
question remains unasked by someone who doesnt want to appear dumb.

This is the question:

How easy is it to plant a tree?

That is most certainly not a dumb question. But often its only half a
question.  Why? Because when most people ask the question, they really
want to know how easy it is to plant trees successfully so that they
thrive and grow to maturity.

Another point to remember is that some trees are easier to grow than
others, regardless of your level of expertise.  Ill have some
suggestions for you in this column. But first, lets think about the
absolute basics of introducing the tree into your landscape.

Different varieties of trees have different needs, but a non-profit
web site operated by American Forests has some excellent general tree-
planting tips, including the following:

Select a site with enough room for roots and branches to reach full
size. Avoid overhead and
underground utilities.

Prepare a planting area as deep as the root ball and three to five
times its diameter by loosening the soil.

Dig a hole in the middle of the area and set the root ball even with
the ground level.

Use water to settle soil and remove air pockets in planting area.

Stake the tree to flex with the wind only if tree is unable to stand
up to wind.

Spread a two to three inch layer of mulch on entire area, but not
within six inches of tree trunk.
You can find the entire article, along with some helpful diagrams
here: http://www.americanforests.org/resources/howtoplanttrees/  and
there is a direct link from this column at my web site. Go to
www.landsteward.org then find this column under The Plant Man heading.

There are ways you can put the odds in your favor when it comes to
planting trees that are more likely to thrive and grow successfully.
Heres a word I want you to remember: Transplants.

Transplants are hardier, huskier, and more allaround balanced plants
than seedlings. When planted in your landscape, the transplant has a
greater chance of survival since it has already survived the shock of
being transplanted once at the nursery.

With spring in the air, lets think about some beautiful flowering
trees that work very well (and are much easier to grow) as
transplants.

White Flowering Cherry (Prunus yedoensis). This is also known as
Yoshino Cherry and is a         rapidly growing tree that is
extraordinarily beautiful in Spring when it is covered with white
blossoms that resemble cotton candy. These trees can eventually reach
40 ft. and make excellent street trees.

Kwanzan Cherry. Id say this is the showiest of all Japanese trees. I
love the awesome bundles of large pink blossoms that last longer than
those of other flowering cherries.

Cleveland Select Flowering Pear.  If you like to see a lot of blooms,
the Cleveland Select seems to have more than other varieties of
flowering pear.  This variety is hardy, deciduous, disease-resistant
and grows more upright than the Bradford to around 30 - 40 ft high.

Forest Pansy Redbud.  Something a little out of the ordinary, but well
worth planting if you can find it!  It is a beautiful ornamental tree
that perfect for the small garden as well as more ambitious
landscaping projects.  Unlike the native Redbud (cercis Canadensis),
the Forest Pansy has blooms of a deep maroon color.

Dogwood Kousa (Cornus kousa).  Also known as a Japanese flowering
dogwood, the Kousa is not as susceptible to disease as the white
dogwood, and that’s a major benefit. Great as a specimen, in groupings
or near a patio, it blooms later, around June with a softer petal
flower.

So, if youre looking for an easier and more foolproof way of planting
healthy successful trees without a lot of worry or risk, remember to
look for transplants!

Let me know if I can help you with your specific tree planting
challenges. Note that some of the information here appeared in an
earlier Plant Man column published in April 2003 and included here by
reader request.

The Plant Man is here to help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs
and landscaping to steve@landsteward.org and for resources and
additional information, including archived columns, visit www.landsteward.o=
rg

 Nobody asked, Earl. Shouldn't you be out selling plants? Oh, I see.
No, I don't need any plants right now, Earl, really. No, I don't know
anybody that needs plants, Earl. No, I don't know anybody that might
need plants soon, no. None of your business, Earl, how much money I have
in my wallet. I don't need any plants. Nooooooooo.

In article


- Billy
"For the first time in the history of the world, every human being
is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the
moment of conception until death."  - Rachel Carson



http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html

 
'Billy[_7_ Wrote:

plants? Oh, I

You're a ******. Look it up.




--
Hrochnick

 

Aint't you that blank Czech, lookin' for a potted plant for your patio?
I was thinkin' about suggesting a Physalis alkekengi to you but now
you've gone all pissy on me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physalis_alkekengi
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Physalis+alkekengi
What's the matter with you? You like door to door salesmen or what?
We are just gardeners. We ain't tryin' to sell shit to no one.
Fuck you and your corner patio.
--

- Billy
"For the first time in the history of the world, every human being
is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the
moment of conception until death."  - Rachel Carson



http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html

 

Blank Czech, clever, I see what you did there Billy and I like it.
However, and
you'll like this, I'm actually British - I just happen to
live in the Czech
Republic.

No, I'm not particularly keen on door to door salesmen but you don't
have to
open the door to them. In the same way that you didn't have to
open or read
Earl's post. Besides (and regardless of alteria motives)
Earl didn't once
mention wanting to sell anything, it was all about
advice and don't you think
there maybe a newbie or two out there
(myself included) who really don't know
the best way to plant a tree
and might have found it an interesting read?. And
don't forget, every
know and then gardeners do actually need to buy stuff...

Do you think your sarcastic, agressive, I'm holier than thou response
was really
needed? I've read a few of your other posts and the same
theme runs throughout,
you just can't help yourself being rude and
sniping all over the place. It's
really trying and just makes you look
like a bitter and twisted old man.

Anyway, I'll apologise for being rude, I just read your post late at
night and
it made me angry. But I shouldn't have been insulting so for
that I apologise.

Thanks for the links, looks nice but the fact that "All parts of the
plant,
except the ripe fruit, are poisonous" make it a no no for me.
I'll keep
searching.

So cheers, and chill out...




--
Hrochnick