May 2005
Backyard Bliss
Tree tips on when,
where and what to plant
by Belia Ortega
In the Chicago area you can count on two major spring migrations: birds returning north and gardeners flocking to plant nurseries.
Some are just looking for an assortment of annuals to line their flowerbeds, but a few more ambitious souls are actually shopping for a tree. If find yourself in an arboreal state of mind, the variety can be overwhelming, especially if you start perusing catalogs or the Internet. It’s tempting, but don’t be seduced by the exotic. The decision about what kind of tree to plant needs to be based on more than just what looks pretty on a webpage or in the garden center. Remember: Some of those cute babies wrapped in burlap can grow taller than your house.
Before planting a tree, decide exactly what you want and the particulars of the site. Do you want spring flowers or fall colors? Edible fruit for people or berries for birds? Is the area sunny or shady? How will its root system fare with the existing trees on the property? Have you picked a species that will winter well in your zone? (Zone 5 if you live in the Chicago area.)
Jim DeHorn, organizer at TreeKeepers, a program of the Chicago-based Openlands tree-care organization that has trained more than 700 volunteers since 1991, said the best time to plant a tree is when it’s dormant, in early spring.
Ready, Set, Dig
Among your first considerations is the soil. The four most common types of soil are acid, basic, dirt or clay, according to DeHorn. After you’ve determined your basic desires, the tree’s needs and the existing conditions, you’re ready to plant.
Dig a hole two to three times the diameter of the root of the tree. The hole has to be sized properly, allowing 30 percent air space in the upper six inches. Roots won’t grow and can’t survive deep in the ground.
Slide the tree in gently, take off the burlap and refill the hole with the same soil that was dug out. Trees don’t need additional soil, fertilizer or sand. Refilling with the soil that was dug out of the hole will serve just fine. If you feel inclined, add some organic mulch that’s specifically for trees.
DeHorn said adding a layer of mulch about four inches deep can help keep the soil moist around the tree trunk. It will also keep grass from growing. Using organic mulch will provide additional nutrients.
And don’t forget to water the tree after you plant it.
“Trees need about the same amount of water as a vegetable garden,” said DeHorn. “You have to keep the soil damp and the tree’s bark wet.”
Trees need 60 gallons of water or one inch of water per 100 square feet. And they need a considerable amount of patience. The tender organism will hardly grow its first year. But once it becomes established, the tree should be able to take care of itself and exist on a diet of water, carbon dioxide and sunlight. When it reaches that point, the only time you need to water it is when there are drastic weather conditions.
Many people make the mistake of pruning their trees, which can cause injury to the tree.
“Trees evolved 215 million years ago [and] got along very well without pruning,” said DeHorn.
However, there are a few times when pruning is called for, including removing damaged limbs that pose a hazard.
Tea for Trees
Still confused?
Specialists with The Care of Trees, a company with offices throughout the Chicago area, have developed the Soil Care Program, which attempts to “bring the forest back to the tree” growing in an urban environment.
“It’s what people did before we had fertilizers,” said Rex Bastian, vice persident of Department of Field Education for The Care of Trees. “The approach that we take is trying to work with nature by reducing the amount of fertilizing that we need and maintaining what’s already there.”
Specialists look at the nutrition of the soil by extracting organisms. They place the bagged extract in an incubator, duplicate the organisms found in the soil and create a “tea for your tree.” The tea is poured in the soil surrounding the tree. Teas can be created for both newly planted and existing trees.
Although it may sound like a lot of work to plant a tree, there are many benefits. Trees serve as barriers to sound and stabilize the soil by slowing down the movement of water. This means less water goes into the sewer system.
Peter Bristoll, curator of woody plants at the Chicago Botanic Garden, said trees can add value to your property and reduce energy costs by shading houses. Also, a tree can absorb pollution and help convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, an important job in an environment filled with vehicle exhaust.
Finally, there’s the serenity factor. Nothing beats a lazy afternoon under your favorite oak or elm, where you can have it “made in the shade.”
Belia Ortega is a Chicago freelancer.
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