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Proper planting for New Trees - Part
2 Depending
on the size of the tree... Metal fence T-posts or wooden stakes are commonly used to support new trees. 2 or 3 stakes may be used depending on the size of the tree. Put the stakes vertically in the ground... spaced about 3' to 4' way on several sides of the tree. Place special "Tree Straps" around the trunk and attach them to the stakes with twine. It's best to leave a bit of slack in the line to allow the trunk to sway a bit. Stakes and guys should be used as a backup system to keep the tree from falling over... not as a crutch to hold it up. Place a 4" layer of wood mulch over the root ball and planting pit soil. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk. Mulch helps to retain moisture and insulates the roots from heat and cold. After one year... you can remove the straps. Check to see if the trunk is stable by moving it back and forth. If it looks to be rooted, you can remove the stakes and guys. You don't need to fertilize the tree for a year or so. The only pruning that may need to be done is if there are any broken or dead limbs present. A new tree needs every leaf it can produce to help generate new roots. Keep in mind that with B&B trees... up to 96% of the trees root system was left at the nursery. It takes stored energy... as well as produced energy from foliage to re-generate the root system. It generally takes about three years for a new tree to re-grow it's root system. During that time the tree spends most of it's energy growing roots... and very little shoot growth. This is why the construction of the planting pit is essential. Don't put a $200.00 tree... in a $100.00 hole! One last thing... B&B trees, and even container trees are very heavy! A two inch diameter tree with a 36" diameter root ball can easily weigh 500 pounds. They are very awkward to handle... you'll need a truck to transport them, and a special ball cart to move them... not to mention a lot of man power! If you're not properly equipped and don't have enough help, your new tree can easily be destroyed before you even get it near the hole! If in doubt... call an expert that can get the job done right. Article written by: Kevin Jones, President - Jones Tree & Lawn, Inc. |
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