Friday, January 25, 2002
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Friday, January 25, 2002 |
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Planting trees for lasting success By LYNWOOD L. BLACKMON II
With so much new development in the metro area, good old trees seem like a rarity. To get a good tree in your yard, choose the right tree for the site and invest some blood, sweat and tears into getting it off to a good start. Selecting the right tree depends on where you want to plant the tree and what you want it to do for your yard. Before starting, research the species suitable for our area, considering the tree's foliage, size, shape and other characteristics. When choosing a spot for a new tree, watch out for hazards to the tree's health. Construction crews litter new home sites with mortar, plaster and limestone, creating an alkaline soil condition that can inhibit a plant's ability to absorb nutrients. To improve this situation, take a soil test two to three weeks before planting to determine the lime and fertilization requirements for the tree site. Clay is another challenge for trees in this part of Georgia. Heavy clay soils can lead to poor drainage. Unless corrected, waterlogged soil will suffocate the root system and kill a plant. Improve poorly drained sites by deep-tilling to break apart a layer of hard-packed soil. Once you have decided on the tree species for your site, make the effort to select a fresh, high quality plant. According to the University of Georgia's Cooperative Extension Service dean and director Gale Buchanan, most ornamentals marketed today are grown and sold in containers. Even so, you should be able to find field-grown plants, sold as balled-and-burlapped or packaged bare-root, available at local nurseries during certain times of the year. Container-grown plants should have healthy, vigorous tops and white feeder roots on the outer edge of the root ball. Buyers should not be timid about turning a few plants over, removing the pots and examining the roots. Container-grown plants generally transplant well throughout most of the year with minimum shock, although fall and winter months are the best time to transplant. Nurseries often sell large trees and shrubs grown in the field as balled-and-burlapped plants. These trees transplant best between October through April, because a large portion of the root system is destroyed during digging. Some trees are grown and marketed in fabric bags. They can be transplanted throughout the year, but the fall and winter months are ideal. Packaged bare-root plants should have plump, healthy stems and good root systems kept moist in a packing substance like sphagnum moss or wood shavings. The best planting time is from December to mid-March. Proper planting is another key step for healthy, vigorous tree growth. Proper planting leads to the development of strong roots. Start by watering the tree thoroughly before planting, saturating the root ball. Then dig the hole deep enough so that the top of the root ball is even with the surface of the soil. Remove any wire or cord attached to the tree's packaging. After planting, watering the tree thoroughly will settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. By applying three to five inches of mulch to the soil's surface, you will conserve moisture and prevent weeds. A few extra steps will help care for the tree during its establishment period. If the site for your tree is windy, stakes or guide wires will keep the plant stable. Proper watering is essential while the tree is becoming established. Follow the instructions for your specific tree. Finally, allow the plant to become established before applying a granular general fertilizer. Proper planning and care during the tree's establishment will yield many years of enjoyment. For more information, call the Fulton County Cooperative Extension Office at 404-730-7000.
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