When you ’ve buy the farm to the bother of finding exactly theright tree for your garden , it defecate sense that you ’d want to give it every potential vantage at planting meter . The first few twelvemonth after planting are a critical time for a immature tree to grow , establish sufficient root , and become resilient . Fortunately , there are plenty of things a gardener can do to help during this polar menses .
Prepping to plant
As soon as a newfangled Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is delivered , remove all packaging from the torso and branches , including plastic , R-2 , wrap , and the greenhouse post . For tree that have been ball and burlapped ( B&B)—which stand for the soil and root ball have been dug up from a nursery bailiwick and wrapped with gunny and a wire cage — remove as much of the burlap , wire batting cage , and string as potential . If you ca n’t get it all , cut off the top one - third to one - half of the wire cage and burlap . If the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is in a pliant container , hit the intact root mass from the container .
Next , carefully dig a planting hole that is as deep as the source testicle is marvelous and two to three time broad , tapering the side . Avoid situation with compress soil , since the tree ’s stem may not be able to grow past their original planting hole to find water , melodic line , and nutrients .
If the tree was in a plastic container , get and expose the origin collar , and relax and rend out roots from the sides and bottom of the root mass , peculiarly those that are girdling the trunk or encircle the pot . localise the root tidy sum into the planting fix with the root leash slightly above soil grade .
Getting your tree in the ground
To set the ascendent mass of a B&B Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree for planting , find and disclose the root collar . come out the ascendent glob into the planting gob with the root taking into custody slightly above soil tier .
Backfill the planting golf hole with the same original ground . Check that the tree diagram trunk is upright and straight . Staking is optional ; it is most useful if the root globe is unstable or if the trunk is bending .
Post-planting procedure
Water the tree with at least 5 gallons at planting time . During the first three years , suss out the dirt moisture 6 inch below the open at least each week and more often during hot , dry weather . Water when dry , providing about 2 gallons of water per column inch of luggage compartment diameter . A rule of pollex is that a new tree needs about 10 gallons of water weekly as a deep soakage .
enforce organic mulch around the tree stem . Done correctly , mulch retains grime moisture , provides nutrient , and discourages weeds . Place a 2- to 4 - inch layer of organic mulch ( for instance , chopped barque , hardwood chip , shredded leaves , or screened compost ) on top of the ground , extending out at least 3 feet from the trunk . Pull the mulch back 3 to 5 inches away from the trunk ’s base . Excessive mulch piled against a tree ’s trunk causes source problems .
Prune leg meagrely , removing any that are dead , damage , diseased , or dying , since these can offer a point of entry for insects and diseases .
— Thomas J. Mrazik is a plantsman , a garden writer , and the owner of Goodly Gardens in Worcester , Pennsylvania .
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A healthy, young trident maple (Acer buergerianum, Zones 5–8) has a spreading canopy of bright green leaves, even in late summer. Proper mulching and deep, weekly watering will keep it looking its best.Photo: Thomas J. Mrazik
This nursery grown B&B tree arrived with its root collar buried under 6 inches of soil. The soil was removed to expose the root collar before planting.Photo: Thomas J. Mrazik
For potted trees, remove the plastic container and loosen roots on the outside of the root mass, especially those that are circling; allow soilless medium to fall away.Photos: Thomas J. Mrazik
A 2- to 4-inch layer of screened compost mulch has been applied to the root zone of this newly planted tree, leaving the root collar exposed. A plastic trunk guard protects its bark from deer rubbing damage.Photo: Thomas J. Mrazik
