Give Your Tree What It Needs to Grow
As a homeowner, you want to do what is best for your home and yard.
A dying tree or one that is struggling to grow is the last thing you want to see when you sit down in your sun room to enjoy a view of the backyard.
Unfortunately, that can happen to even the most well-intentioned homeowner.
The problem is rooted in the method and space you choose to plant a tree.
These variables have a major impact on the future health and growth of a tree.
Once you decide how and where to plant a tree, there is no turning back, which is why the decision so important.
The Planting The most frequent misstep when planting a tree is placing the root-ball too deep in the soil.
You should place the lateral root at grade (relative to soil surface) in order to permit optimal oxygen exchange and water flow.
Planting the root too deep will cause the tree to stay overly wet and, ultimately, rot and die.
In addition, a well-developed lateral root system for trees is the best shield against strong winds and the toppling that can occur.
Deep tree planting does not promote this type of root system.
Planting a tree into a hole that is too small is another error that many homeowners make.
You should dig a planting area that is three times the size of the root-ball.
Otherwise, the tree will be crammed and will not have enough space for lateral root expansion.
You should also straighten out the roots of the tree before you place them in your plating area.
The roots are typically circled around the root-ball, but leaving them this way will cause them to continue to grow in a circular manner instead of horizontally, like they should.
The Surrounding The location where you choose your plant your tree will play a major role in its health and growth.
A tree surround or a planter box is often seen in current landscaping projects.
Typically they are built up around a tree with brick or wood, and can subsequently cause problems for a tree.
The main problem is that the moist soil typically placed in the planters is in direct contact with the bark of the bole every hour of the day, which can damage the bark over time.
Also, several feet of soil are often added over the root system in surrounds.
This does not allow for adequate oxygen for the roots, stunting the tree's growth.
An alternative to wet, high soil is mulch that is expanded around the tree base, covering a larger percentage of the lawn.
This can also combat the dead grass you sometimes see under trees by growing a shade-adapted groundcover.
Keeping a few variables in mind when you plant a tree in your yard will ensure that it grows into the beautiful addition to your yard you had envisioned.
A dying tree or one that is struggling to grow is the last thing you want to see when you sit down in your sun room to enjoy a view of the backyard.
Unfortunately, that can happen to even the most well-intentioned homeowner.
The problem is rooted in the method and space you choose to plant a tree.
These variables have a major impact on the future health and growth of a tree.
Once you decide how and where to plant a tree, there is no turning back, which is why the decision so important.
The Planting The most frequent misstep when planting a tree is placing the root-ball too deep in the soil.
You should place the lateral root at grade (relative to soil surface) in order to permit optimal oxygen exchange and water flow.
Planting the root too deep will cause the tree to stay overly wet and, ultimately, rot and die.
In addition, a well-developed lateral root system for trees is the best shield against strong winds and the toppling that can occur.
Deep tree planting does not promote this type of root system.
Planting a tree into a hole that is too small is another error that many homeowners make.
You should dig a planting area that is three times the size of the root-ball.
Otherwise, the tree will be crammed and will not have enough space for lateral root expansion.
You should also straighten out the roots of the tree before you place them in your plating area.
The roots are typically circled around the root-ball, but leaving them this way will cause them to continue to grow in a circular manner instead of horizontally, like they should.
The Surrounding The location where you choose your plant your tree will play a major role in its health and growth.
A tree surround or a planter box is often seen in current landscaping projects.
Typically they are built up around a tree with brick or wood, and can subsequently cause problems for a tree.
The main problem is that the moist soil typically placed in the planters is in direct contact with the bark of the bole every hour of the day, which can damage the bark over time.
Also, several feet of soil are often added over the root system in surrounds.
This does not allow for adequate oxygen for the roots, stunting the tree's growth.
An alternative to wet, high soil is mulch that is expanded around the tree base, covering a larger percentage of the lawn.
This can also combat the dead grass you sometimes see under trees by growing a shade-adapted groundcover.
Keeping a few variables in mind when you plant a tree in your yard will ensure that it grows into the beautiful addition to your yard you had envisioned.
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