By Julia Milano
A persistent question I ask myself is “How can I make a difference?” And then it comes to me, plant a tree.
Remember when choosing your planting location, most tree types don’t tolerate water-logged soil or deep shade. It’s also wise to leave about 15 feet between the house and the tree to avoid root damage to your roof and walls. Trees are usually sold in three different ways.
Balled and Burlapped: These trees are sold with a fragile root ball in its growing soil that is wrapped in burlap. Dig a hole that is as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Once positioned, cut and remove the ball’s burlap, twine and if present, wire. When placing, move the tree by the root ball and not the trunk.
Container Grown: Some trees are grown in a nursery container. Once again, the hole should be the same depth as the soil in the pot and twice as wide. If the tree is root-bound, use a knife to separate any circling, matted roots and plant so that the roots flare out and no bark is beneath the soil.
Bare Root: These come in moist packing around their roots. Just before planting, swish the roots in a mixture of soil and water. Dig a hole as deep as the longest roots, mound soil in the center and spread the roots around the mound sides. Fill the hole firmly but gently.
Trees deserve our respect and wonder, if for no other reason than their unparalleled capacity to remind us how important it is to leave the earth a more beautiful place than the way we found it.
Advanced Garland County Master Gardener, Julia Milano, volunteers with GC Master Gardeners of the UofA Div. of Agriculture, Cooperative Ext. Service. Master Gardeners pool skills and resources to improve home horticulture, stimulate interest in plants and gardening, and encourage beautification. For more info, call 501-623-6841 or email adykes@uaex.edu. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.
