In last week’s column were thoughts on guiding selection of trees for the landscape. In today’s column are some thoughts on caring for a tree before and after planting.
Things to look for when purchasing and caring for a tree:
• Damage. Purchase trees that have no visible damage to the trunk. Avoid trees that have dead or broken branches, splitting bark. Look closely at the leaves for margin burning, which is an indication that the tree suffered from water stress at some point. Root systems of trees that have been stressed for water will be weaker and may have less than optimum chance for surviving our harsh summers.
• Transport. Protect trees when transporting from the nursery to the planting site. leaves of trees that are in the back of trucks or sticking out of windows when transported will be damaged by the wind created by the vehicle. Leaves will quickly desiccate and drop off. Cover the tree with a tarp or other material to protect it during the ride home.
• Timing. Once the tree gets to the planting spot plant as soon as possible.
• Planting. Plant the tree into a hole that is 1.5 times the depth of the pot and 1.5 to 2 times the width of the container in which the tree is grown—no larger.
• Water. Water is the critical input. Do not let the root ball dry out as once the root system is damaged, it will not recover. After the tree has been set into the ground, fill the hole with water, let it drain and fill again. As the soil settles air holes will rise to the surface. Continue to add water until no air bubbles are seen. Water by hand deeply every day for the first week, then gradually lengthen between waterings. Drip and sprinkler systems supply inadequate amounts of water therefore use a hose and flood irrigate. Because our region is in an extreme drought, deep water thoroughly every 2 to 3 days for the entire summer months.
• Remove tags. Many trees will have identification tags hanging by string or rubber bands. Remove these before the wood begins to expand. Save the tags for reference along with date purchased and purchase receipt. Many of the box houses that sell trees guarantee the tree for one year if returned with the receipt.
Ellen Peffley Harp, a retired professor of horticulture at Texas Tech University, writes about gardening for several Texas newspapers.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.
