Although in our climate zone we can plant year round, the ideal
time to plant trees and shrubs is during the dormant season
- late fall or early spring before budbreak. This period of
cool weather allows plants to begin establishing roots before
spring rains and summer heat stimulate new growth up top.
More important than rushing to plant your trees is taking this time
to carefully plan your yard and species selection. Besides the
climate and soil, this plan should consider the size of the
trees and plants at maturity, the size of the yard, the amount
of care you plan to give, and the overall effect you want for
the yard. Plants should be spaced so that they have room to
grow without crowding each other, the house, the power lines,
or any structures.
After you have a plan and know what species you want, you should consider the type and size of planting
stock to buy. There are three forms of planting stock: bareroot, balled-in-burlap, and container stock.
Bareroot trees have no soil on the roots. They are lightweight, easy to plant, and inexpensive. However,
they are normally only available late in the season and only in certain species. They need to be planted soon
after purchase.
Balled-in-burlap trees are field grown and dug up during the dormant season. The burlap is used to hold
the root ball together. In general, these trees are known for their healthy root systems. They are normally only
available late winter and early spring and only in certain species. They are heavy and awkward to handle but are
definitely worth the extra effort. Consult your nursery or tree professional for information on planting and
removing the burlap.
Container plants are the most common stock on the market and they can be found all year. Occasionally trees
can be found in fiber pots but normally they are sold in plastic containers. It is important to be choosy when
selecting trees and plants in plastic containers. They can be prone to root defects because they are often left in
the container too long. You may need to shop around to find health nursery stock.
As far as the size of the container, you must realize that all new plants will experience an establishment
period. The larger the tree is at planting, the longer the establishment period. While larger-sized stock offer
greater height and width at planting, differences in initial size are generally lost following establishment.
Studies demonstrate that trees from larger stock have a decreased growth rate when compared those of smaller
stock.
When it comes time for the dirty work, take time to carefully plant. Proper planting is essential to a
healthy future for the new tree or plant. There is a saying, 'it is better to put a $10 tree in a $50 hole than
a $50 tree in a $10 hole'. This is definitely true, but good luck finding a good tree for $10.
