Keep it Green, by Michael Womack
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Saturday, November 10, 2001

Plant the right tree, in the right way, place and time

Although we don't have the show-stopping displays of autumn color as we find along the Atlantic Coast, we do have a some great trees in South Texas. More importantly, we need more.
   Planting a tree is a great way to invest in the future of the Earth. Individuals and societies both harvest many natural resources from the environment, often without thinking about ways that we can give back to nature. One of the easiest and most significant ways is simple: Plant a tree.
   There are many excellent trees adapted to our area. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages. The keys to success can be summed up as the four "rights" of tree planting: Plant the right tree, the right way, in the right place at the right time of year
   The right tree
   First determine the characteristics you desire in a tree. Some of the most important factors to consider are mature size (both height and spread), rate of growth, and if you want leaves year-round for added shade in the winter. After you determine what you want in a tree, then start looking at what native and adapted trees meet most or all of your needs.
   I tend to rank the following trees in my "Top 5" for the Coastal Bend: live oak, cedar elm, anaqua or sandpaper tree, mesquite and western soapberry. For small ornamental trees that provide flowers or berries, you might consider crape myrtle, yaupon, Texas persimmon, wild olive, Japanese ligustrum and orchid trees. The right way
   Dig your hole 2-3 times the width of the tree's root ball and the same depth as the existing root mass. Planting trees too deep will often stunt the tree's growth and may increase potential disease and insect problems. Always make sure that the soil level remains the same at the end of planting your tree.
   Digging a hole in heavy clay soil may require some extra work. Scoring or scuffing up the edges of the hole also helps to improve water percolation and root penetration. Leaving slick, smooth sides in your hole will essentially create a giant bathtub, which will hold too much water around the tree root system. Once the tree is in place, backfill the hole around your new tree with native soil that has been broken up until it has a crumbly consistency. Using a small cultivator or tiller on the excavated soil will make the job easier. Using soil amendments like bark mulch or soil conditioner is no longer recommended for tree planting. Research has shown that improper addition and mixing of these materials may actually inhibit root expansion to the surrounding area of the soil.
   After the tree is planted, make sure you water the soil well. Make a small earthen dam around the tree as temporary well to hold the water.
   Also make sure you apply 3 to 4 inches of mulch around the tree to hold water and reduce weed competition. Be careful not to let the mulch touch the trunk of the tree.
   The right place
   One of the most common mistakes is misplacement. Homeowners usually think about the size of the tree when it is planted instead of its mature size. The results are trees that crowd houses, destroy roofs, crack foundations and sidewalks, clog sewer lines and rub against utility lines. The solution to these problems is either severe pruning or removal.
   Such drastic measures can be prevented if gardeners would simply think before planting. Small trees should be at least 10 feet away from houses and large shade trees need a minimum of fifteen feet. Also avoid planting large trees and palms under power lines; many shorter ornamental trees are available for these situations.
   The right time
   The best time to plant trees in South Texas is right now, between October and late March.
   The mild temperatures and increased precipitation will allow trees to begin establishment before our hot dry summer kicks in.
   As we come to the season where we give thanks for so many things, give thanks for the shade and many benefits of trees. Then, take time to show your thanks by planting a tree for the future. You'll be thankful for generations to come.
  
   Contact horticulturist Michael Womack at 767-5217 or wm-womack@tamu.edu
  
  

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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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