Post on 16-Jul-2015
Planting and Caring for Trees in the Mid-Atlantic States
If you live in the Mid-Atlantic region and are considering
adding a tree or two to your yard, it’s vital that you go about the process the right way. Smart choices in terms of
location, tree species and care will give you a thriving, beautiful addition to your landscape. If you already have
existing trees, you need to care for and maintain them properly.
Planting and Caring for Trees in the Mid-Atlantic States
Well before you head out to purchase a tree, you need to
have a game plan. You need to know what kind of tree you
want, where it will be located in your yard, and the
answers to a number of other questions. You’ll need to
know:
What’s the purpose of the tree? Do you want a
privacy screen? A windscreen? Shade for the
house on hot summer days? A fruit tree that
provides food for your family?
What species do you want? Some species are well-
suited to life in the Mid-Atlantic region, but not all
trees will thrive here. You’ll also need to consider
the size of the mature tree.
How much available space do you have for the
tree? What about in 50 years when it’s much
larger?
How hardy is the species? Can it withstand the
winter weather? What about summer storms, or
drought conditions?
Planting and Caring for Trees in the Mid-Atlantic States
While there are thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of
tree species in the world, only some are suitable for the
Mid-Atlantic. Some of these include:
Dogwood
Maple
Birch
Hawthorne
Holly
Walnut
Planting and Caring for Trees in the Mid-Atlantic States
Now you’ve chosen your trees, and it’s time to plant them.
Dig a hole: The hole should be at least as deep as
the root ball (the clump of roots and soil that
come out of the container) and about three times
as wide.
Massage the roots: Loosen them so that they
radiate out from the root ball. Cut any circling
roots, and make sure to take off any ties or
stakes. Place the tree in the middle of the
pedestal. Make sure that the depth and
positioning are good, and that the root flare lies
above the surface – you’re only going to get one
chance to get this right. Repeated digging up and
re-planting will traumatize the tree.
Plant the tree: Fill in the soil around the root
ball, and then tamp it down with your foot or a
shovel so that there are no air pockets.
Add top mulch: Use shredded bark, wood chips
or leaves, keeping it a few inches from the trunk
and the root flare – this keeps fungi and insects
from burrowing and chewing on the bark.
Planting and Caring for Trees in the Mid-Atlantic States
Water: Make sure that you continue to water
(assuming that you don’t get a drenching rain) at
least once a week, or every 4-5 days until the tree
is well established.
Planting and Caring for Trees in the Mid-Atlantic States
It’s a responsibility, caring for a tree. But it basically
amounts to a few basic things – fertilize, water, mulch, and
prune if necessary. Also, watch out for disease and other
adverse conditions.
Fertilization: If your soil isn’t sufficiently rich,
you may need to fertilize your tree to provide the
nutrients it lacks. A soil test can help you
determine if this will be necessary. If it is, make
sure that you don’t use “high number” fertilizers.
These contain too much nitrogen, and can cause
more problems than you’d have if you didn’t
fertilize at all. Most trees do just fine with 6-6-4
fertilizer.
Planting and Caring for Trees in the Mid-Atlantic States
Watering: It’s vital that newly planted trees get
enough water. The first three years are the most
important, but if you’re having unusually dry
weather, even a more mature tree should be
watered.
Mulching: Mulching newly planted trees helps to
hold moisture in the roots, and reduces
competition from grass. Use organic materials like
wood chips, needles, bark or leaves. Don’t let the
mulch touch the tree – it encourages insects and
fungi to come in close and eat the bark. Often,
with proper mulching, you won’t need fertilizer.
About three inches of mulch over the roots,
spread as wide as possible, is best. In the spring,
you may need to add more mulch in order to
maintain a proper level.
Pruning: Newly planted trees don’t need much
pruning, so remove only the branches that are
broken or dead. If the tree is producing a lot of
leaders, you might want to remove them in order
to allow the central stem to strengthen and
develop. In the second and third year, prune
lightly, and beyond that, prune every three years
to encourage new growth and good form.
Planting and Caring for Trees in the Mid-Atlantic States
Your trees, both new and existing, can suffer from any
number of problems, including storm damage, disease,
pests and more. Watch for the following signs and head off
issues before they become true nightmares:
Rotting branches or roots
Sawdust mounding around the trunk
Cracked trunks
Hanging and broken branches
Bark damage
Gaps between trunk and soil
Planting and Caring for Trees in the Mid-Atlantic States
You also need to ensure
that you can protect your
home, yard, automobiles
and families from trees
during storms. Trees that
are located on the lots of
newly constructed homes,
those in loose soil, and those on newly cleared lots are all
more likely to be blown over. Storm damage can be
exacerbated by trees with foliage that creates a “sail”, as
well as poorly maintained trees.
Tree care requires patience and a watchful eye, as well as a
little bit of knowledge. With the right steps, you can protect
your trees, your yard and your home, while enjoying the
many benefits that trees bring to our lives. It all begins
with taking a proactive stance to choosing the right tree,
and then maintaining it over the years.
Planting and Caring for Trees in the Mid-Atlantic States
Growing Earth Tree Care
Founded in 1976, Growing Earth Tree Care is a full-service
tree care company, providing disease & pest diagnosis &
control, fertilization, tree preservation, pruning, cabling &
bracing, plant growth regulators, take downs & stump
grinding. Clients include HOA’s, property managers,
commercial properties, & individual property owners.
Growing Earth has won numerous awards for tree
preservation and conservation and is one of the few local
companies that have been Accredited by the Tree Care
Industry Association.
Contact Us
Growing Earth Tree Care
www.growingearth.com