If the Arbor Day spirit strikes you to plant a tree, plant it proper to offer it one of the best likelihood for a protracted lifetime of spreading inexperienced branches and sheltering individuals and houses.

“The way you plant a tree makes a essential distinction in whether or not it’s going to survive and the way wholesome it is going to be for the long run,” mentioned Julie Janoski, Plant Clinic supervisor at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle. “An important issues you are able to do for a tree are to decide on it rigorously so it’s the proper of tree to your web site and to keep away from planting it too deep.”

Listed below are some fundamentals of correct tree planting:

Discover the bottom of the trunk. To ensure your gap is the appropriate depth, find the bottom of the trunk, the place it flares out into the massive, anchoring roots. That spot is commonly buried in soil while you purchase a tree, whether or not it is available in a pot or wrapped in burlap. “Dig down to seek out the primary massive roots, and take away all of the soil above that time,” Janoski mentioned. “Don’t simply assume that the soil stage within the pot is right.”

Measure the basis mass. You’ll have to know the depth, from the basis flare to the underside, and the width.

Dig a large, shallow gap. It needs to be 2 to three instances as large as the basis mass and formed like a shallow soup bowl or saucer, with sloping sides.

“Tree roots develop out to the aspect, not down, and a large gap makes area for them to push out horizontally,” Janoski mentioned. “Even after you’ve refilled the opening, there will likely be a large space of good unfastened soil for brand new roots.”

Watch out to not dig too far down. “Planting too deeply is a serious explanation for long-term tree issues,” she mentioned. The outlet needs to be simply deep sufficient so the flare on the base of the trunk will sit on the stage of the encircling soil, or barely greater. For instance, if the basis mass is 11 inches deep, the opening needs to be simply 10 or 11 inches deep on the heart.

Gently place the tree within the gap. Keep away from dealing with it by the trunk or branches; grasp it from the underside of the basis mass. Set it in the course of the opening and examine that it’s on the proper depth. Stroll throughout it to verify the trunk is upright from all angles.

Take away as a lot wrapping as doable. If the tree got here wrapped in burlap and wire, minimize off and take away as a lot of it as you possibly can attain.

“It’s OK to go away the wire and burlap beneath,” Janoski mentioned. “They gained’t intervene with roots rising out sideways.” Be certain that to take off any tags, wires or ropes wrapped across the trunk or branches. They might minimize into the bark because the trunk grows wider and ultimately kill the tree.

Fill the opening. Use the identical soil you eliminated. After filling the opening partway, gently however firmly tamp down the soil across the root mass to take away air pockets and maintain the tree secure. Repeat, filling and tamping, till the opening is full. The soil stage needs to be even from the bottom of the trunk out past the sting of the opening.

Water effectively. Pour 5 to 10 gallons of water gently onto the basis mass.

Unfold mulch. Make an excellent layer of mulch, resembling shredded wooden, in a large circle across the base of the tree. It needs to be 2 to 4 inches deep.

“Don’t pile mulch too deeply, and watch out to maintain it a few inches away from the bottom of the trunk,” Janoski mentioned. “Mulch ought to by no means keep up a correspondence with the bark. It will possibly entice moisture and result in decay and illness.”

Make the mulch circle as large as you possibly can, to carry moisture within the soil, insulate the roots and shield the tree’s bark from injury by garden mowers and different energy instruments.

Hold watering. For at the very least the following two years, you will have to water the tree regularly.

“It doesn’t have sufficient roots but to dwell on rainfall,” Janoski mentioned. “It’s going to want your assist.”

At first, water proper close to the bottom the place the basis mass is. Over time, because the tree extends its roots, you’ll have to water a wider space.

“The perfect watering is lengthy and gradual, so the roots have time to soak up it,” she mentioned. Use a soaker hose, a trickle from a hose or sprinkler or a bucket, pouring gently. “Don’t water daily,” she mentioned. “Water deeply, after which wait a number of days earlier than watering once more.”

Arbor Day, the final Friday in April, is a standard tree-planting day, however you possibly can plant bushes via June and once more in September or October, avoiding solely the most popular and driest a part of summer season. “There’s loads of time to decide on and plant a tree this yr,” Janoski mentioned.

For tree and plant recommendation, contact the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum (630-719-2424, mortonarb.org/plant-clinic, or [email protected]). Beth Botts is a workers author on the Arboretum.

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