Trees Are Low-Maintenance Additions To Your Yard

 

 

There are many reasons to plant trees in your home landscape –they are beneficial for the environment, they provide shade and they are aesthetically pleasing.

 

Planting a tree in your yard can be done with very little maintenance. If you are thinking of planting a tree, and want to do it correctly and at the appropriate time, now is the right time to do it.

 

Beau Brodbeck, a regional Forestry, Wildlife and Natural Resource Management agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, said that the prime time to plant trees is in generally December through February. However, any time after the first frost and before spring arrives is a good time to plant your tree.

 

“Along the Gulf Coast the months between November and March normally provide the best climatic conditions for improved tree survival,” Brodbeck said in his article, “Gearing Up for Tree Planting Season; Some Helpful Tips for Successful Tree Planting.”

“You basically want to plant during the dormant season so that the tree can establish root growth without the stress of water requirements during summer,” said Brodbeck.

Always consider the size of the area where the tree will be planted as well as the type and size of the tree to be planted.

 

Bordbeck suggests homeowners ask themselves the following questions when selecting a site to plant their trees:

Brodbeck said it is very critical to pay attention to utilities, most importantly above ground utilities, such as power lines. If you plant a tree near power lines, make sure it will not grow to more than 20 feet in height.

 

It is also important to consider what type of soil your tree will like.

 

“If you are planting a tree in a poorly drained area of the yard, you need to plant a tree that likes wet feet,” said Brodbeck.

 

“You can test the soil drainage by digging an 18-inch hole and filling it with water. If in one hour it is still full, you have poor drainage and will need to pick a tree that likes wet feet. If it has drained away, or mostly away, you’re ok for most tree species.” Brodbeck also suggests getting a soil test to “understand the fertility needs of your soil.” A soil test costs about eight dollars.

 

Once you decide where the tree will be planted, it is important that you plant it correctly. Brodbeck said that trees should be planted in wide, generally shallow holes.

 

“The number one mistake made during installation is planting trees too deep,” he stated.

The depth at which you plant the tree is guided by identifying the uppermost root, where the trunk meets the root collar. That spot should be one to two inches above ground level. You also want to make sure that the tree is straight. Then, fill the hole, making sure there are no soil clots.

 

“Big clots of dirt can lead to air pockets, which will cause the roots to die. Also loosen the soil, even outside the hole; that allows roots to grow out very quickly,” Brodbeck said.

 

Do not fertilize or prune the tree directly after planting. Mulching, on the other hand, is important. However, Brodbeck said mulch should not touch the trunk of the tree and should not be more than three inches deep.

 

“An old saying in arboriculture is that big trees will become small trees and small trees will become big trees,” said Brodbeck.

 

He said that many people look for instant gratification, so they plant a tree that is already quite large. Although it may be larger at the time, the larger the tree, the longer it takes to become established. “The rule of thumb is six months per caliper inch for trees to become established and begin to add growth to branches and leaves,” said Brodbeck. As a result, small trees become established much faster and will often catch the larger trees.

 

When deciding what type of tree you want, consider the negatives along with the positives. According to Brodbeck, many flowering trees are often understory trees.

 

Beware that some commonly planted flowering trees in Alabama, such as Dogwood, are challenging species due to both environmental and pest concerns.

 

Evergreens should also be selected carefully as poor selection can cause quite a few problems. For example, Brodbeck describes the Southern Magnolia as a very beautiful, large tree. However, its leaves drop frequently and they do not decompose easily.

 

“Certain species have a certain set of benefits. Be aware of those when you’re selecting trees. Contemplate where you are going to place them and what purpose they will serve,” added Brodbeck.