Fall is quickly approaching and this is the best time to plant trees! Given that you may wish to plant trees during this time here are some guidelines to think about.
Trees add value and are always an asset to your property- please read our article How Much are my Trees Worth? for more information.
If you want to plant a small tree yourself, follow these simple steps:
1. Dig a hole 2-3 times wider than the root ball
2. Cut or straighten any circling roots so as not to choke off other roots. This is called ‘girdling’
3. Make sure the tree is straight in the hole before filling- this is hard to fix once buried
4. Fill the hole gently but firmly, making sure not the bury the root flare (where the trunk expands at the base of the tree)
5. Stake the tree if necessary to help develop a stronger, straighter trunk and root system
6. Mulch the base to maintain a good, moist environment for your tree.
Remember, choosing the right tree for the landscape is vital. How often have you seen a young conifer planted with no room to grow?
Selecting a tree that will thrive in a given set of site conditions is the
key to long-term tree survival and reduced maintenance. Consider
the following when selecting a tree:
• soil conditions
• exposure (sun and wind)
• drainage
• space constraints
• hardiness zone
• human activity
• insect and disease susceptibility
Arbutus offers services to aide our clients in choosing which tree best suits their needs. As part of this we stress the importance of native tree species as these will not harm local ecosystems.
Soil Conditions In dense urban areas and new subdivisions, soil is often disturbed, shallow, compacted, and subject to drought. Most trees will suffer in these conditions without additional care. Arbutus is ideally suited for this care which includes, installation of water-bags, mulch and fertilizer treatments if necessary.
