Basic Tree Care Workshop February 20, 2008 8:30 a.m. 3 p.m.
Today s Agenda 8:30 10:30 Module 1: New Concepts in Tree Planting 10:30 10:45 Break 10:45 12:45 Module 2: Young Tree Management 12:45 1:30 Lunch 1:30 3:30 Module 3: Mature Tree Management
Module 1: New Concepts in Tree Planting Bare Root Container Balled & Burlapped (B&B) Bare Root Container Balled & Burlapped (B&B) 3
Bare Root Planting Information in this section is courtesy of: Dr. Nina L. Bassuk Urban Horticulture Institute 20 Plant Science Building Ithaca Department of Public Works Cornell University 245 Pier Road Ithaca NY 14853 Ithaca NY 14850 (607) 255-4586 (607) 272-1718 nlb2@cornell.edu Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 4
Bare Root Planting Far left: The incorrect mirror of the canopy version of how tree roots grow. Near left: The correct depiction: tree roots are close to the surface, laterally spreading, and spread significantly beyond the dripline of the tree. Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 5
Why Bare Root? You can plant more trees more cheaply You will take more roots along You ll avoid the deadly planting-too-deep syndrome Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 6
Bare Root Planting: Timeline Overview At least 3 months before planting day Order the trees Order & gather supplies Assess available planting sites Cluster sites for ease of planting The week before planting day Have utilities marked Prepare aluminum marking tags for your trees Label trees with the tags Work with the nursery to schedule tree digging Dipping Day at the nursery Take your truck & supplies Follow manufacturer s recommendations for root dips Dip the root system in the slurry Bag trees & store in a cool shaded place Planting Day Carry the bagged tree to the planting site Prune dead or broken branches only Dig the hole wide & shallow Plant the tree Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 7
At Least 3 Months Before Planting Day Place an order for trees Order 1½ to 2 inch caliper trees that are good bare root prospects Caliper size greater than 2 inches is not recommended for bare root transplanting Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 8
At Least 3 Months Before Planting Day Order & gather supplies Hydrogel Plastic Bags (Gusseted) Aluminum Marking Tags Tree Irrigator Bags Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 9
Soil Moist JRM Chemical Inc. 15663 Neo Parkway Cleveland, OH 44128 Supplies & Suppliers Hydrogel Terra-Sorb Plant Health Care, Inc. 440 William Pitt Way Pittsburgh, PA 15238 1-800-421-9051 Viterra Root Dip Amereq Inc. 19 Squadron Blvd New City, NY 10956 1-800-962-4010 1-800-832-8788 Plastic Bags (Gusseted 42 x 30 x 70 ) Consolidated Plastics Company, Inc. 8181 Darrow Road Twinsburg, OH 44087 1-800-362-1000 National Bag Company, Inc. 2233 Old Mill Road Hudson, OH 44236 1-800-247-6000 Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 10
Supplies & Suppliers Aluminum Marking Tags Ben Meadows Company 3589 Broad Street Atlanta, GA 30341 1-800-241-6401 Gempler s 100 Countryside Drive PO Box 270 Belleville, WI 53508 1-800-382-8473 Tree Irrigator Bags American Arborist Supplies, Inc. 882 S. Matlack Unit A Westchester, PA 19382 1-800-441-8381 Gempler s 100 Countryside Drive PO Box 270 Belleville, WI 53508 1-800-382-8473 Northern Nurseries, Inc. 8633 US Route 11 PO Box 1480 Cicero, NY 13039 1-315-699-3999 Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 11
At Least 3 Months Before Planting Day Assess available planting sites Overhead wires? Adequate soil volume for a mature tree? Problems with drainage, soil texture or ph? Look kfor other problems specific to your site: wind, snow removal, etc. Match conditions of the site with the tree species Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 12
At Least 3 Months Before Planting Day Match conditions of the site with the tree species Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 13
At Least 3 Months Before Planting Day Trees properly matched to environmental conditions will thrive! Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 14
At Least 3 Months Before Planting Day Cluster sites for ease of planting & select 20% more sites than you need Some sites will not work out, so be sure to select more than you need Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 15
Bare Root Planting: Timeline Overview At least 3 months before planting day Order the trees Order & gather supplies Assess available planting sites Cluster sites for ease of planting The week before planting day Have utilities marked Prepare aluminum marking tags for your trees Label trees with the tags Work with the nursery to schedule tree digging Dipping Day at the nursery Take your truck & supplies Follow manufacturer s recommendations for root dips Dip the root system in the slurry Bag trees & store in a cool shaded place Planting Day Carry the bagged tree to the planting site Prune dead or broken branches only Dig the hole wide & shallow Plant the tree Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 16
The Week Before Planting Day Have underground utilities marked Prepare aluminum marking tags for your trees Label each tree with its intended address before it gets dipped and bagged Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 17
The Week Before Planting Day Work with the nursery to have your trees dug within 24 hours of your arrival If they absolutely must be dug earlier, they should be kept in a cool, dark place and watered frequently Bare roots should never be allowed to dry out! Verify that the nursery will tie the branches with twine to prevent breakage in transit Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 18
Bare Root Planting: Timeline Overview At least 3 months before planting day Order the trees Order & gather supplies Assess available planting sites Cluster sites for ease of planting The week before planting day Have utilities marked Prepare aluminum marking tags for your trees Label trees with the tags Work with the nursery to schedule tree digging Dipping Day at the nursery Take your truck & supplies Follow manufacturer s recommendations for root dips Dip the root system in the slurry Bag trees & store in a cool shaded place Planting Day Carry the bagged tree to the planting site Prune dead or broken branches only Dig the hole wide & shallow Plant the tree Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 19
Dipping Day at the Nursery Take your supplies and an enclosed truck or truck that can be tarped to transport the trees after dipping Hydrogel Buckets Metal Tags Plastic Bags 50-100 gallon plastic vat for mixing hydrogel & water (vat should be much wider than tall to allow for the root system) Something to stir the slurry Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 20
Dipping Day at the Nursery Follow manufacturer s recommendations for root dips Follow manufacturer s recommendations for root dips or about 15 oz of hydrogel per 25gallons of water Module 1 - Bare Root Planting Allow 30 minutes to an hour for the hydrogel to become fully hydrated in the water should be the consistency of thick gravy when dipping is started Si Stir to hasten the hydration process While waiting, attach pre-marked aluminum tags loosely to a lateral branch of each tree 21
Dipping Day at the Nursery Dip the root system in the slurry Dipping and bagging at the nursery. Make sure all roots are covered in the hydrogel slurry. Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 22
Dipping Day at the Nursery Dip the root system in the slurry & bag the trees Don t shake the hydrogel off the roots leave as much coating as possible Module 1 - Bare Root Planting Immediately slip the roots into a large, pleated plastic bag Pleated or gusseted bags are important to prevent the roots from poking through the sides of the bag Knot the bag around the trunk to hold in moisture Store in a cool, shaded place until ready to transport 23
Transporting Dipped Trees Stack trees in the truck bed, being careful not to injure bark or break branches Dipped and bagged trees ready to be tarped and transported. A tarp is essential to keep the wind from desiccating tree tops and roots. Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 24
Dipping Day at the Nursery Water down bagged trees to create humidity in the truck bed Close the truck bed or securely tarp it for your trip back to the city Upon arrival, trees should be stored in a cool, shaded building until ready to plant The sooner you plant, the better Wait no more than a week after dipping to plant the trees Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 25
Bare Root Planting: Timeline Overview At least 3 months before planting day Order the trees Order & gather supplies Assess available planting sites Cluster sites for ease of planting The week before planting day Have utilities marked Prepare aluminum marking tags for your trees Label trees with the tags Work with the nursery to schedule tree digging Dipping Day at the nursery Take your truck & supplies Follow manufacturer s recommendations for root dips Dip the root system in the slurry Bag trees & store in a cool shaded place Planting Day Carry the bagged tree to the planting site Prune dead or broken branches only Dig the hole wide & shallow Plant the tree Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 26
Planting Day Carry the tree, with roots still bagged, to the planting site Lay tree on its side and remove all string & nursery plastic flags Prune only dead or broken branches Dig the planting hole wide & shallow hole should be 2-3 times wider in all directions than the root spread Remove the tree from the plastic bag and stand it upright in the hole Plant tree so the beginning of the root flare is visible at soil level critical not to plant the tree too deep Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 27
Planting Day Dig the planting hole shallow and wide, at least three times the diameter of the tree roots. The beginning of the root flare should be at soil level. Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 28
Planting Day Check to see that the tree is plumb, then backfill with the native soil that you have removed Mulch over the entire rooting area with 2-4 of wood chips or shredded bark or mulch The farther out you mulch, the better Attach a tree irrigator bag Fertilizer is not recommended for newly planted trees Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 29
Planting Day Don t let mulch mound against the trunk since this could create a favorable environment for fungi YUCK YESSSS! Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 30
Planting Day Staking Not necessary Exception: High traffic areas where vandalism is feared Initial maintenance Maintain mulch at a depth of 2-4 If stakes or guy wires are used, remove these devices after 1-2 years to prevent girdling gof the tree Start training trees one full year after they are planted Module 1 - Bare Root Planting 31
Container Standard Container Boxed Module 1 - Container 32
Container Module 1 - Container 33
B&B Module 1 B&B 34
B&B Lacing Module 1 B&B 35
B&B Always tarp the load Module 1 B&B 36
B&B Stabilize the Cargo Module 1 B&B 37
B&B Select the planting location Module 1 B&B 38
B&B Module 1 B&B 39
B&B After removing the tarp, inspect the material before off loading Module 1 B&B 40
B&B At least three times the diameter of the root ball Module 1 B&B 41
B&B Don t mistake a graft for the root collar Module 1 B&B 42
B&B Remove girdling roots as early as possible Module 1 B&B 43
B&B For an established look keep the mulch Use a tarp to keep the backfill Module 1 B&B 44
B&B Module 1 B&B 45
B&B Note the shoulders Module 1 B&B 46
B&B Module 1 B&B 47
B&B Module 1 B&B 48
B&B Face the tree and complete all adjustments before removing the shipping material Module 1 B&B 49
B&B Remove all shipping material Module 1 B&B 50
B&B Open the bag and find the root collar Module 1 B&B 51
B&B Remove as much of the cage as possible without disturbing the root ball Module 1 B&B 52
B&B This is about three inches Module 1 B&B 53
B&B If the tree is welled make plans to remove it after one year Module 1 B&B 54
B&B Burlap Pins Wire Cage Strapping Lacing Training Rod Facing Marker Field Marker Species Tag Module 1 B&B 55
B&B The final result still looks established January 2007 Module 1 B&B 56
B&B January 2008 Module 1 B&B 57
B&B Module 1 B&B 58
B&B Module 3 59
Let s Take a Break! The Remainder of Today s Agenda: 10:30 10:45 Break 10:45 12:45 Module 2: Young Tree Management 12:45 1:30 Lunch 1:30 3:30 Module 3: Mature Tree Management