TREE PLANTING AND ESTABLISHMENT Keith Wood Colorado State Forest Service
Select the Right Tree for the Right Place Match the Tree to the Site: Growth Habit, Water Needs, Durability (Hardiness) Insect and Disease Issues Soil ph, Texture and Drainage Map courtesy of the National Arbor Day Foundation
Remember Right Tree/Right Place Avoid Soil and Site Problems Photo Courtesy of Kentucky Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement Photo courtesy of Ecospace Conscious Community Photo courtesy of e-streetscapes.com Photo courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden
What Size of Stock To Plant? Bigger is not always Better! 1 year to Re-establish for Each Inch of Tree Caliper Source: Arboriculture 3 rd Ed. 1999, p. 163 by Harris, Clark & Matheny, photo compliments of Gary Watson, Morton Arboretum
Selecting Trees at the Nursery Vigor, growth rate Branch spacing Trunk taper Foliage distributed on upper 2/3 of tree Central, dominant leader No mechanical damage Insect/disease free Examine roots
Transportation and On Site Storage -Transport in the early morning in the summer -Tarp foliage/branches to reduce damage -Load/unload properly with trunk protection -Store plants in the shade whenever possible -Maintain soil moisture -Cover roots with mulch
Containerized Trees
Containerized Trees Watch for Circling/Stem Girdling Roots! Photos Courtesy of the University of Florida
Containerized Trees Illustration courtesy of Mary Ann Bonnell
Containerized Trees
Containerized Trees
Balled and Burlapped Trees Photo Courtesy of ISA Trees Are Good
Balled and Burlapped Trees Watch for Too Much Soil Over the Root System! Photos Courtesy of the ISA Trees Are Good and the University of Florida
Root Flare Photo Courtesy of University of Florida Note the abundant flare at the base of all these trees
A Note on Bud-Grafted Trees Bud Graft Location Photo courtesy of Vince Urbina, CSFS
Balled and Burlapped Trees
Balled and Burlapped Trees Photo Courtesy of the University of Florida
Balled and Burlapped Trees From ISA Arborists Certification Study Guide, Figure 7.5
Balled and Burlapped Trees
Balled and Burlapped Trees
Balled and Burlapped Trees
Balled and Burlapped Trees
Balled and Burlapped Trees
Balled and Burlapped Trees
Balled and Burlapped Trees
Balled and Burlapped Trees
Balled and Burlapped Trees Photo Courtesy of ISA Trees Are Good
PLANTING HOLE Ideally 2 to 3 times the width of the root ball at soil surface (wide and shallow!) Hole never deeper than the root ball Set on undisturbed soil Irrigated, heavy clay soils compound the problem of planting to deeply Photo Courtesy of ISA Trees Are Good
Planting-Other Considerations Handle root ball with extreme care! Orient plant in same direction it grew when it was dug Use existing soil as backfill when feasible, topsoil that matches existing soil texture closely as possible only if necessary Water thoroughly to remove air pockets and reduce shock Photos Courtesy of ISA Trees Are Good
STAKING AND GUYING Staking trees not always necessary -less trunk taper -smaller root system -more subject to breaking, tipping -may injure the tree Staking needed in some situations -bare root trees -large conifers -windy sites -sandy soils -tall trees -reduce vandalism -remove after 1 year! Photo Courtesy City of Aurora Forestry Photo Courtesy South Dakota State University
CARE AFTER PLANTING Fertilization/Other Treatments (Vitamins, Mycorrhizae, etc.) usually not beneficial at time of transplanting Pruning limited at time of planting (dead, broken, some structural OK) Tree wrap-material used to wrap the trunks of newly planted trees -may be useful November-April to prevent sunscald damage -can harbor insects and diseases Photo Source: www.plantsandgardening.com
CARE AFTER PLANTING Mulch -3 to 4 inches -keep away from trunk of tree Courtesy of ISA Trees Are Good
CARE AFTER PLANTING Watering (April-September) 10 gallons/inch diameter 1-3 diameter-water weekly 4-8 diameter-water 3 times/month 15 gallons/inch diameter 10 + diameter-water 2 times/month Watering (October-March) 10 gallons/inch diameter, 1 to 2 times/month Source: http://saver.denverwater.org
Establishment Rate Encourages growth Limits growth Little or no effect Loose soil Compacted soil Peat or organic matter added Proper irrigation Little or no irrigation Water absorbing gels Mulch 8 around planting hole Grass and weeds close to trunk Root stimulant products Root flare above soil surface Leaving shoots intact Planting too deeply Adding spores of mycorrhizae * Pruning at planting Fertilizing at planting
QUESTIONS? Use 2 opposing flexible ties when staking is necessary 3-4 layer of mulch Keep mulch 6 back from trunk Trunk Flare Gently pack back-fill using water to settle soil Cut burlap and rope away from top half of root ball Set ball on firmly packed soil to prevent settling International Society of Arboriculture Planting Standard