Start thinking now about spring tree planting
I don’t know about anybody else, but I think spring is really close. This is a good time of year to start choosing what trees you might want to plant when spring does come. There are several considerations one should make as part of this decision:
1) Where is this tree going, and how much space is there for a tree?
2) What is the purpose of this tree?
3) What is the climate like now, and what will the climate be like in the future as this tree grows?
4) What kind of tree will do best in my yard with the soil conditions, sun availability, space restrictions and water availability?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you can start looking for a species of tree that will fit all of your requirements. The list should be short as you want to only consider species that best match your requirements. You can start by looking at the Recommended Tree Species for Planting for your city or open this hyperlink to info from the US Forest service.
TwinCitiesMN_TreeSpeciesVulnerability.pdf
Find the trees that sound interesting, then research where these trees do best. For example, if you have a big space in the front yard facing south with a loamy clay soil, and you want some shade, perhaps a Linden would be your choice. Once you pick the species of tree you need to decide what size tree you want and can afford. Just remember that the biggest tree is not always the best choice. The bigger the tree is when it’s dug, the more the roots are damaged and the longer the transplant shock the tree will experience.
Plant your new tree with the root collar even with the level of the soil. Put a 3 to 4 inch layer of organic mulch around the tree, keeping it well-watered and you’re on your way to having a nice tree. In conclusion, match your tree to your site conditions, pick a tree with a healthy, well constructed root system, plant correctly, and take care of it with mulch and proper watering. These are the steps that will lead you to the best success in your tree planting endeavors.
After the tree nurseries have done their “spring dig” is the best time to shop for trees, as that’s when there is the largest selection. You want to choose a tree that is of reasonable size, with a well-distributed root system (spreading out in all directions), that is reasonably large enough to match the size of the tree.
The roots should not be wrapping around each other and not have too many “j-shaped” roots. You want to be able to look at the root system of the tree! Bare root trees are the best for this, but you can buy container trees and expose the roots by knocking the dirt off to inspect them. You can also do a “box cut” of the root ball, shaving all four sides of the root ball to eliminate any encircling or j-roots before planting. Don’t plant a tree with j-roots or encircling roots, as this can lead to stem girdling roots as the tree gets bigger. Find a tree with a nice big root system spreading out in all directions without any “j roots” and that’s half the battle. Most cities, when they are replacing trees, will plant inch and a half or two inch diameter trees that are bare root or container trees.
Shadywood Tree Experts is not currently offering tree planting service, but we would love to help you with making your tree selection, offering advice on planting techniques and after-care after the tree is planted. Call our office at 952-933-0614 with any questions.