Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - Plant a tree, give it plenty of TLC

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Saturday, April 28, 2001
Plant a tree, give it plenty of TLC

Yesterday was Arbor Day. It is celebrated on the last Friday of April in Texas as a reminder that trees are an investment in our future. However, Arbor Day celebrations actually mark the end of prime tree-planting season in South Texas.
   As we approach the end of spring, our rainfall plummets and temperatures soar - not very good conditions for trees trying to adjust to a new environment. That is why garden pros here recommend planting trees between October and April.
   If you planted a tree yesterday or plan to in the near future, don't fret. You simply need to realize that conditions are not optimal for new tree establishment, and that you will have to give them a little more care during the summer as their roots expand.
   Moisture is key
   Most container-grown trees can be planted late in the season if you supply adequate moisture. Although once a week watering may be adequate for some species, it probably is not enough to help them thrive as they fight to keep cool and expand their roots this summer.
   Dr. Ed Gilman at the University of Florida has found that newly-planted trees can use as much water as you can give them, especially during the summer. Daily watering is not unreasonable, especially if the tree is in a windy location or near cement or asphalt.
   Check the soil
   Of course, the best way to decide if any plant needs water is to check the soil.
   This monitoring is particularly helpful for trees planted in heavy clay soils or in poorly drained areas such as a low spot in your yard. Trees planted in these less-than-ideal conditions may not be able to tolerate excessive watering.
   To maximize your watering, consider placing an earthen dam around the newly planted tree to help keep more water around the tree roots during the first year.
   After that time, make sure you break the walls and spread that soil to allow water to move further away from the trunk, thus encouraging the roots to spread beyond the initial "moat" area that covers the surface of your initial hole. Don't worry if this makeshift reservoir extends beyond the dripline of the young tree, since your hole should have been two to three times the size of the root ball.
   Other success tips
   Adding mulch is one of the best things your can do for your new tree. Applying 3 to 4 inches of organic bark mulch will reduce evaporation from the soil surface around your tree. Thinner layers of mulch will not provide the water savings or weed control desired.
   Mulch should extend at least 3 feet in all directions from the trunk.
   This practice will reduce weed and grass competition for water and nutrients to the roots of your new tree. It will also keep you tree from being damaged by weed trimmers and lawn mowers.
   Fertilize your tree whenever your fertilize your grass.
   If you use the holiday fertilizing calendar, you will probably be making applications around Memorial Day, July Fourth and Labor Day. While fertilizing, simply make sure that the area under your tree drip line is covered during fertilizer spreading. The nutrients for your grass will also help your tree get a good start. Grass fertilizers provide the basic nutrients for growth - which are the same ones needed by all plants, including shrubs and trees.
   Although you can buy tree spikes to put in the ground, a granular fertilizer is better because it is more evenly distributed to all of your tree roots. Tree spikes slowly dissolve and provide a high concentration of fertilizer to a very limited area around where they are driven into the ground.
   Bonding with nature
   Your efforts to give your newly-planted tree a good start will also help you bond with the young tree through your investment of time and money.
   Another reason people tend to become emotionally attached to tress is that they are often viewed as living symbols - somewhat eternal - because they often live long after we leave a location, providing benefits for future generations. For that reason, trees make great tributes to significant people and events in our lives.

Michael Womack is a horticulturist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Got a question? Michael Womack will answer landscape and gardening questions. Call 886-4648, category 3025 to record your question. Write Keep It Green, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, P.O. Box 9136, Corpus Christi, TX 78469 or email wm-womack@tamu.edu

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