When planning to buy a tree and plant it, homeowners should decide whether they want to buy container grown plants, ball and bur lapped trees or trees that are root ball. It may help to decide what type to buy before going to the nursery. This way, homeowners can concentrate on what they should look for when buying any tree for their property. Has the tree been notched or does it have broken limbs? This may be a sign that you should avoid these young trees for your property. A notched tree or a tree with broken limbs may be more susceptible to disease. It is best to choose a tree without competing leaders that has green leaves and appears healthy. Once you get a tree home, planting a tree may require extra assistance, if you chose to buy a ball and bur lapped tree. You may want to call your utility company to check for underground wires before you dig.
If you plan to dig in soil that drains poorly, you may what to make your hole three times wider than the root ball of the tree you are planting. The depth of your hole is important. If a hole is too deep, the roots will not have access to oxygen in order to grow efficiently. If your hole is too narrow, your root structure will not gain good anchorage and your plant may fall over. If you have a ball and bur lapped tree, you want to leave the burlap under the root ball and be careful not to pack the soil down after you water.
Watering, Staking and Fertilizing your Tree
Young trees need more attention than mature trees. Your soil may dictate how often you need to water. Clay soil needs watering less often than sandy soil. If you do have clay soil, you need to water deeper though so that it will penetrate down to the roots. Moisture should reach the roots about 12 inches underneath to be ideal for young trees. Young trees should be watered once or twice a week for a few weeks and then only water when the soil is dry. Should you stake your new trees? Trees will develop better if they are staked. Staking should be used if your tree is in a windy location or it is exposed. Leave at least one inch space between a tree trunk and your stake and bury your stake roughly two feet deep to provide support. Once a tree is able to stand on its own, remove the stake.
Should you use fertilizer with your new tree? Some trees may not need fertilizer if they are getting the nutrients they need. Some trees; however, may need additional nutrients to grow properly. If you need fertilizer, you should consider one that is a complete fertilizer, meaning it contains a blend of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Should you choose an organic or inorganic fertilizer? Inorganic fertilizers release quickly and an inorganic fertilizer may have a slower release rate. To properly help a tree grow, choose slow or control-release nitrogen when fertilizing. By doing these steps, your trees will grow healthy and strong.