Spade size and the amount of water available
for your landscape should reflect your choice of
tree size. An average root system will be about
the same size below ground as the branches are
above ground.
If no care is planned for the planted trees the
root ball should not be bigger than the size of the
spade; if some care is planned for the tree cutting
25% of the roots still leaves a 90% survival rate
and cutting 50% of the roots also leaves a 90%
survival rate if very good care is planned.
If you live in a dry environment you need to provide
more water to ensure fast growth. Fast growing
trees will have a better survival rate then slow
growing trees.
Selection of trees also depends on the desired
effect and the purpose trees will satisfy in the
landscape.
Will they attract birds to the area?
Shade a patio?
Screen an unsightly view?
Enhance the view of the home?
Identify an entrance or exit?
Trees should provide contrast and relief from
surrounding buildings and create seasonal interest
in areas near the home.
6.1 Planting Procedure
Transplanting is not successful until the tree returns
to a normal growth rate. This transplant recovery
period normally takes three years, but may range
from two to eight years. To get the most satisfactory
performance from trees, attention must be given to
planting details. Using quality plants and following
good cultural practices such as watering, pruning,
and fertilizing will not compensate for poor planting
techniques or poor plant selection.
Try to position spade at same angle (right/left)
when digging and planting so the flats on the
blades match, this will leave less air space under
the root ball.
When lowering the first trees take a close look or
have someone with you to insure root ball is well
centered because if it is released off center the
root ball will drop and tilt and it could damage the
tree roots (it is easy to get a feel for it after planting
a number of trees).
Raise blades one inch each until the root ball
seems lose then extract each blades completely,
if the tree is leaning raise the blade that trunk is
leaning towards first, this will spin it up a little. If
you are transplanting without baskets do not try to
twist, spin, or move the root ball; just leave it and
within a week try staking the tree if it is tilted.
Use water to settle the soil around the root ball.
Mulch two to four inches deep with woodchips,
bark mulch, or other suitable mulch.
Trees should be pruned to remove broken,
damaged, or dead branches.
6.2 Care For Your Trees
You should consider each of the following as
important in caring for your trees:
•
Fertilizer
•
Mulching
•
Watering
•
Pruning
•
Staking and guying
•
Tree wraps
6 WORKING
WITH TREES
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