6 Basic Steps in Selecting and Planting Trees

Tree Selection & Planting

Joel Kayser, NE Certified Arborist & Nurseryman, Well Rooted Gardens

Trees can provide great value and benefits to the landscape when planted and cared for properly. They add beauty and aesthetic appeal. They can reduce utility usage by shading buildings from the summer sun. They provide recreational areas and help with storm water runoff. Some studies have even shown that properties planted with mature trees can reduce crime. But, even with all these benefits, trees can produce headaches if they are not properly selected, planted, and maintained. To avoid these headaches, we should consider the following steps.

Variety?

Properly selecting the type of tree, and the variety, is essential. There are hundreds of different trees at the local nursery, each with different strengths and weaknesses. It is the combination of these characteristics which give each tree a unique purpose, or function, in the landscape. For example, Serviceberry is an ornamental tree that is excellent for dry areas. It provides excellent fall color and produces an edible fruit. Whereas, a Japanese Lilac provides an excellent screen for urban areas, produces very fragrant flowers, and is quite disease resistant. However, choosing a tree doesn’t end there, the best choice will greatly depend on where the tree will be planted.

Location?

A common saying in the landscape community is “right plant, right place”. For example, if you have an area that is west facing, along a busy street, with little water availability, then choose a tree that will tolerate those circumstances. Another scenario, few trees thrive in deep shade without loosing density and flower production, so, learn if the tree you are considering will tolerate that amount of light.

In addition to considering what the location is like now, you must also consider what the landscape will be like in the future. Landscape changes could come from larger trees eventually shading the area, from water direction or absorption being affected, or by the installation of hard surfaces such as a new sidewalk. The right plant for the right place may not be the easiest rule to follow, but it is perhaps the most important.

Size?

A common misconception in planting trees is that the bigger the tree is when planted, the better. Research is showing the opposite, a smaller tree will be established and begin to grow faster than a larger tree. A good general rule of thumb is: the inch size of the caliper of the tree indicates how many years the tree will take to become established. If you start with a 1’ caliper tree that is 6’ tall, it will be fully established in one year. If you start with a 4” caliper, 15’ tall tree, it could take four years to become established. That means three more years of careful maintenance and watering practices when a larger tree is planted.

Start?

In the past, nurseries have used three common systems for containing tree roots: plastic pots, B&B, and, in the dormant season, bare root. In recent years, some nurseries have started to offer plants grown in “grow bags”. Trees grown in grow bags develop a healthier root system than traditional plastic pots. When trees grow in round plastic pots, the roots will grow until they touch the walls of the pot. At which point, the roots will turn and grow in a circle.

They become trained to grow in a circle, and will never stop growing in a circle, even after being planted. Roots that develop this way are said to be root bound. Root bound trees will produce girdling roots which will eventually choke the tree to death.

The newer grow bags systems are made of a cloth material that promotes proper fibrous root systems through “air pruning”. Air pruning is the natural process where feeder roots grow through the fabric material and die back when they are exposed to the air. This in turn encourages more feeder roots to grow.

These smaller feeder roots are more adaptable and will immediately start growing outward when planted in the landscape. Research is showing that grow bag trees establish themselves significantly faster, and require less watering.

Quality?

What determines a quality tree? That is the Million Dollar question. Tree growers have been discussing that question for years. Though there is no one way to answer it does not mean we should not ask it. When selecting a tree at the local nursery or tree farm there are several things to consider.

- Is the tree planted too deep in the pot? How far below the soil surface is the first lateral root?

- Is the trunk free of defects or damage?

- Does the tree have a good central leader?

- Are the branches properly spaced?

- Are the branches crossing each other?

- Are the leaves healthy, without much spot or damage?

Watering?

Watering is one of the most important maintenance tasks. If there is one common misconception in horticulture, it is that you must water established plants every day. But generally watering should be done less frequently and for longer durations.

For example, take automatic watering systems. On average, each zone is set to run for 15 minutes, every day of the week. When water is delivered for a 15-minute cycle, it is usually only soaking into the top 1 inch of soil. Even for turf, this is not adequate and often promotes disease growth.

Proper watering entails long durations of watering with periods of time in between to allow the soil to dry slightly, but not to the extent of allowing plant damage or wilting. Providing a of couple days between waterings, allows the roots of the turf and trees to grow deeper in search for more water, strengthening the plants.

In addition, trees are unique plants and require a different water regiment than the surrounding turf and landscape plants. Generally speaking, established trees will perform better in the landscape if they are only watered 1-2 times a week. But they should be watered for a couple of hours at a time, allowing the water to soak down deep into the soil.

Trees are a lifelong investment. Spending a little more time in the present selecting the right, healthy tree, and properly planting it can yield dividends for years to come.

Happy Planting!