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Landscape Blog
06/15/10
Plant a Tree – Any excuse will do!
 You’ve heard of planting trees for Earth Day and for Arbor Day, but why not other occasions? If you need a last minute gift for Father’s Day, consider planting a tree for or with Dad. If you know someone new to fatherhood, it’s a neat idea to plant a tree the same year their son or daughter was born, in order to watch tree and child grow together. Young children might enjoy digging the hole with Dad and planting the tree together, and they will also be learning a valuable lesson about caring for our green environment and how plants grow strong with the right sunlight, water and nutrients. If Dad enjoys the outdoors but is not as spry as he used to be for digging holes, planting a tree for him might give him just the right shady spot to take a nap in the hammock in the backyard in his golden years. Also you could consider planting a tree in memory of a Father or Grandpa who enjoyed the great outdoors.
When choosing a tree, always plan for the mature size and shape it will attain. Save headaches down the road and maintenance problems by choosing the right tree for the right place initially. In addition to space, consider how much sunlight you have, and if you know soil type, come armed with that information also when visiting your local garden center. Your nursery professionals can help you choose the right tree for your situation. When planting your tree, make sure the crown of the tree (where the trunk flares out to meet the roots) is even with or slightly above the existing soil grade so that after it is watered and settled into the soil in its new home the tree is not planted too deep. Planting trees too deep can cause roots to grow up around the stem in the future and actually strangle your tree and prevent flow of water and nutrients, eventually causing stress and death. Less frequent, deep and thorough waterings are better than quick, frequent splashes with the hose to encourage deep, strong root growth. In hot weather, make sure you are keeping up with your tree’s water needs by watering more frequently however, especially in the first season when it is just getting established.
Enjoy your tree on Father’s Day and many other holidays to come!
by Stephanie Girgen
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