- Choose a healthy, disease-free and pest-free plant with good structure relative to its species.
- Look up for wires/lights and around/down for wires, irrigation, gas, water, and telecommunications lines. .(AVOID FIBEROPTIC LINES AT ALL COSTS – EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE REPAIR COSTS)
- Find the top-most root and treat root defects for trees and large shrubs; (i.e. cut out stem girdling roots.) For smaller shrubs and plants pull roots out gently on root-ball to encourage horizontal growth. (Thicker root wads may need to be sliced with a sharp pocket knife or utility blade first.)
- Dig the depth of hole exactly the height of the root-ball (as measured from the bottom to the top-most root) and twice the width of root-ball width.
- Remove synthetic materials (burlap, wire basket, etc)
- Place plant in hole and position top root 1-2 inches above landscape soil
- Make sure plant or tree is straight by standing a distance away and examining it from multiple angles. Face the fuller, healthier sides of plants and trees towards the area from which it will be most often seen.
- Add back soil and pack firmly around the root ball
- Soak planting area until full of water to push air out of any pockets
- Add mulch 2-3 inches thick on top of moist soil around root ball and step down gently to push soil down into any large air pockets. Then spread mulch out around tree using proper mulching techniques.
- Stake and prune (only if needed)
New Plant/Turf/Tree Watering Practices
The #1 cause of death for new plantings in urban areas is over watering. These guidelines are intended to maximize the successful establishment of new plants in the urban landscape. There are many exceptions to the following guidelines and plant specific research is encouraged for customers interested in the proper maintenance of their turf, plants, shrubs, and trees.A smaller volume of water provided more frequently is preferred to larger volumes of water in smaller frequencies for the majority of your smaller plants and shrubs. Trees and larger shrubs prefer a slightly larger volume of water a little less frequently. The key is to keep the soil around the root system moist.The use of tree bags are recommended for newly planted trees. They should be filled up every day for the first two weeks and about once a week for the following 6-10 weeks depending on weather conditions. After that trees should be watered once or twice a month for the first 1-2 years, even during their dormancy period, if weather permits.All that said, the following schedule seems to be pretty effective during the Spring and Fall. I would increase the volumes and add in a few extra frequencies to compensate for additional water loss from the heat. Excessive rainfall should be compensated for as well. If you are ever in doubt about proper watering practices, contact local experts which can be found at nurseries, the Conservation Department, and landscape service businesses. If you are in the Midwest region and just need advice, just give us a call at (417) 837-1578
Jeffrey R. Gabris, M.B.A.
ISA Certified Arborist – MW-5363A
This HBA Home Pro Tip provided by Gabris Landscaping.
