Planting And Transplanting Trees
Adding a small tree or a small number of trees to any garden can make a world of difference, suddenly transforming even the plainest garden into something special. Although the cost of some trees may seem rather high when taken into consideration this initial cost seems miniscule when you realize that most species live for a great many years and some can even outlive a number of human generations. However it is crucial that you get things right otherwise your pride and joy may suddenly find itself struggling to survive. By following the hints and tips below you should be able to give any tree a good start in life giving you many years of pleasure.
Things To Consider Before You Plant or Transplant Trees
One of the most important things to remember when planting or transplanting trees is that you must ensure that the roots do not get damaged. A good quality root system is vital to a tree’s survival with the larger roots anchoring the tree in the ground and the fibrous (fine root hairs at the end of rootlets) abstract water and nutrients from the surrounding soil.
Another important factor to consider is the eventual size of your chosen tree and the plot where you plan to plant it. Some tree species, when they reach maturity, have an enormous height and spread while other species can grow very small and remain very thin with an incredibly small spread (with all different sizes and shapes in between). It is very important that you choose trees that will remain a suitable size even when they reach maturity.
Even though the photographs in nursery catalogs show some trees that are immensely beautiful you should never let your heart rule. If a tree looks great in a catalog but is not really suitable for your garden do not be tempted to buy it. There are so many different trees to choose from that you are bound to find one that you like that will be extremely suitable for the chosen location.
If you only have a small plot it is far better to choose one specimen tree than to plant a number of less interesting trees. A specimen tree will at a focal point to your garden and having too many trees in a small space will just cause overcrowding and they will not look as pretty.
When planting and transplanting trees you should consider using some of the specialist products available such as the new wilt-proof sprays which temporarily seal the leaves so that the tree retains moisture, thus preventing sudden leaf drop. Also consider some of the rooting enzymes which are available in powder or gel form. These compounds have been designed to greatly increase the rate at which a tree grows new fibrous roots.
By using both products mentioned above you can ensure that trees establish themselves far quicker and suffer less damage than if they were planted without them. Even if you have, wisely, chosen to purchase trees with a bur-lapped root ball, such products can make a massive difference well worth the extra cost, especially if you have bought a very expensive tree.
Planting and Transplanting Trees
Before you plant a tree please read the above hints and tips and make sure that you have everything you will need to hand. Trees do not like being out of the ground for too long so the trick is to get them planted as quickly as possible but taking great care to treat them carefully and providing everything they will need. Make sure you have plenty of water to hand. If you water is chlorinated please allow it to stand for a few hours so that all the chlorine evaporated. Preferably you should use collected rainwater.
Firstly dig a hole in the ground that is at least 2 feet deep. It should be sufficiently wide to leave a gap of around 1 foot all around the roots (when the tree is placed in the hole). At the very bottom of your hole you should loosen the ground, as deeply as you can (use a pitchfork or even a trowel), and mix in some organic matter such as peat or leaf mould. You can, maybe, a little bone meal or manure but it should only be a little and mixed in thoroughly otherwise, as it decays, it may burn the roots of your trees.
You should then flood the hole with suitable water and wait for it to drain away completely. Next you can place your tree into the hole and begin to fill in the gaps around the roots. Gently firm the ground as you go and when it is about half to two-thirds full you should again flood the ground ensuring that the tree remains in the correct position.
Finally fill the rest of the hole with loose soil but make sure that there are no air gaps or pockets. If all the above steps are carried out correctly your tree should become established very quickly.
Tags: Trees and Shrubs