By Richard Farinato
Of all the elements of a landscape, perhaps the most
important are trees. Much of their importance, of course, can
be attributed to their size. It is difficult to ignore a plant
that can reach the height and breadth that many trees
eventually do. They take command of their surroundings and may
stay in command for an impressive number of years. Although
nothing lives forever, some species of trees come very close.
And any tree provides wildlife with temporary or permanent
shelter and varying seasonal food sources. In some natural
environments, whole ecosystems exist within the structure of a
single tree.
Take Time for Thoughtful
Planning
Because of a tree's size, longevity, and ability to
dominate, and even alter, its environment over time, the
planting of a tree is not a matter to be taken lightly. Spend
the necessary time to understand what it is that you want from
a tree and to learn what species of available cultivated trees
are capable of meeting your goals. Do you want to add height
and color to the view from the kitchen window in early spring?
Do you want to diminish the force of the blowing northern wind
in fall and winter? Are you looking for striking foliage color
on a seasonal basis or all year long? These are some of the
questions you need to consider as you work toward selecting a
tree.
The placement of a tree is also critical. The site you
choose will determine, at least to some degree, the kinds of
trees you might plant. Factors such as utility easements and
power lines, including telephone, water, gas, and sewage lines;
prevailing wind directions; a house or other man-made
structure; soil type and drainage; proximity of other trees and
plant material; and mature size of the tree all must be
considered. The time you spend on the above factors will help
you avoid serious problems later when correcting them may be
difficult or impossible.
Sometimes, however, the best intentions, pertinent
information, and careful planning mean nothing. You're driving
down the road and you come face-to-face with a saucer magnolia
in full bloom, or a Japanese maple with almost black foliage,
or a statuesque American holly covered with red fruit, and you
immediately head for the nursery. The tree made the choice for
you, so now you must backtrack and find just the right spot
while the tree sits in your driveway.
Trees and Planting 101
Basically, trees are divided into two large categories:
conifers and flowering trees. Conifer simply means
"cone-bearing." These are the familiar needled evergreens, such
as pines, spruce, and hemlocks, that provide year-round masses
of foliage and food in the form of seed-bearing cones. Some
popular conifers are available as naturally occurring dwarf
species, and horticultural cultivars of smaller stature have
been developed.
Flowering trees, such as maples, oaks, and dogwoods, possess
the typical flat thin leaves familiar to all of us. Although
all non-conifers are flowering trees, not all flowering trees
produce spectacular or even obvious flowers. Typically, these
trees are deciduous, shedding their leaves in a period of
dormancy that is triggered by temperature or other
environmental factors. The ripened fruit of these trees is of
great value to wildlife. Nuts, berries, capsules, and drupes
(peaches, cherries) all are types of fruit eagerly consumed by
birds, mammals, and insects. There also are flowering trees
that do not drop their foliage, sometimes termed broad-leaved
evergreens. They may be more familiar to us as shrubs, but
hollies, rhododendrons, mountain laurel, privet, and photinia
all will eventually turn into small- to medium-sized trees.
Planting time for trees depends on the state of the tree.
Balled and burlapped or in a container, evergreens, or
deciduous trees may be planted at any time the ground is warm
enough to be workable in your area. Small deciduous trees sold
as bare-root stock are usually sold in a dormant state for
spring planting. When planting any tree, keep the following
basic principles in mind.
Site Selection
Make sure the site provides what the tree needs in terms of
light, soil, and drainage. To some degree, soil type can be
manipulated by amending the soil in which you plant the tree.
Drainage, however, is more problematic. If a site is moist or
wet, consider a tree that is adapted to such conditions and
happy with "wet feet." Also, learn where utility lines are, and
do not plant a tree as part of a foundation planting against a
dwelling.
Digging and Soil Preparation
Prepare a hole that is twice the size of the tree's root
ball or container. The larger the hole, the greater the amount
of well-prepared soil you can place around the newly planted
tree, giving it at least one or two seasons of advantageous
conditions. Depending on the local soil type, you may need to
add sand, peat moss, compost, or topsoil to create the best
mix. When planting, do not set the tree deeper than it has been
growing in its container or root ball. If in doubt, err on the
side of setting it an inch or two higher.
Positioning the Tree
Gently remove the tree from its container or loosen the
burlap or other covering at the surface of the root ball. Set
the tree in the hole on a base of prepared fill so it sits at
the correct height, and backfill the planting hole. Firmly
compress the soil as you fill the hole so that the root ball is
stable.
Watering and Securing the Tree
Form a "saucer" of soil around the tree to act as a water
reservoir. Water the tree well, filling the saucer several
times. Then, generously mulch the surface to retain moisture.
Last, stake or secure the tree to make sure that it will remain
stable in its new position as roots begin to move out into the
soil. Be sure to consult with your local extension service and
visit reputable nurseries or horticulture professionals for
more information specific to your area. Trees are a magnificent
and long-term investment in the landscape, and they provide
unlimited dividends for humans and wildlife alike.
Richard Farinato is director of
The HSUS Captive Wildlife Program
