How do I give my new tree the best start in life?
by
Wel17119462
+2
I have recently had to have a very unhealthy older maple tree taken down and because of the way it's situated on the lot, and in front of the house; I basically have to put it back in the same location. Aside from making sure that the stump and old roots are totally gone and the hole is more than adequately big enough, what should I do to ensure that I will give my tree the best start? Should I add fertilizers, root stimulators, or other supplements?
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Plant only with peat moss.Newly planted trees and shrubs do not get fertilizer until after one year of established growth.
Yep! Peat moss, compost.
An old gardener always said to plant your $10 tree in a $100 hole. Both cost a lot more now! Dig a hole much larger than the root ball, amend the soil, and keep it mulched. Keep weed killers away from the lawn around the tree and don't let the ground dry out. (But don't drown it either.)
don't forget to loosen or cut the balling material either twine o wire from the root ball if you don't it will strangle the tree. And after you are all done planting DO NOT create a mulch volcano around the tree that is another sure way to suffocate the tree plant the tree so the root flare is level with the ground pull your mulch abut 3 feet from the trunk and well it up to create a water reservoir
I've also heard not to trim the dead branches right away, give it a year or so. Not sure if this is necessary, but I've heard that too much trimming can shock a young tree. Also, having just planted about ten trees myself last year in a high wind area, supporting them with posts the first year helps them stay stable, but after the first year you can take the posts out.