Proper Planting and Pruning Techniques for Trees

Presentation by: Eva Monheim emonheim@temple.edu Faculty member at Temple University in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture

and Oak Leaf Productions GWA 9/12/20010

Sources for Tree Information

• www.ISA-Arbor.org

• Cooperative Extension in Your State– Clemson – “Planting Trees Correctly”– Ed Gilman – University of Florida– Virginia Tech

• US Department of Agriculture

Planting Balled and Burlapped, Bareroot and Container Trees

http://www.wildbirds.org/oaks/oaks.htm

Planting Balled and Burlapped Trees

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/naturalresources/components/DD7415b.html

Tips for Planting B and B Trees

• All ties, burlap and wire cages should be removed

• If the tree is too large to remove the entire cage, remove the upper 1/3 to 2/3s of the cage – use tin snips for removal – roots of trees are usually found in the upper 24-36” of the soil

• Back fill the hole with soil that is unamended

• Never put mulch up against the trunk of trees like volcanoes. This causes problems with the bark and encourages adventious roots which weaken the original root structure.

Drawbacks to Planting B and B Trees

• Balled and Burlapped trees lose 50-80% of their root systems when dug from the nursery

• If the root flare is buried in the nursery, more roots are lost

• Takes one year for every each of caliper for the roots to re-establish themselves after they are dug

http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu/News%20columns/FYN.Tree.Planting.htm

This is unacceptable planting

Properly Planted Penn Treaty Elm

Tree Well

Planted to Deep – Root Flare is Buried

Planting Bareroot Trees

http://www.learn2grow.com/gardeningguides/trees/planting/BareRootTrees.asp

Tips for Planting • Bareroot stock maintains ~90% of the root

mass

• They are light to move and/or carry

• They need a smaller hole than the B and B tree

• Backfill with unamended soils and make sure the root flare is level with the nature soil line

• These trees only need to be staked if they are in areas where there is a great deal of foot traffic and activity

• All new plantings should receive one inch of water per week during establishment ~10 gallons for a smaller tree

Place the Roots on a Mound and Spread Them Out – Then Backfill

http://www.learn2grow.com/gardeningguides/trees/planting/BareRootTrees.asp

Drawback to Bareroot Trees

• Small window for planting in the spring and fall of the year when plants are dormant

• Root systems need to be dipped in hydro gel to keep them moist until planting

• Need to have enough volunteers or staff for planting large quantities

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/uf/plant_trees/planting_trees.htm

http://www.wildbirds.org/oaks/oaks.htm

Planting Containerized Trees

http://www.caseytrees.org/planting/how-to/planting/index.php

Tips for Planting• Make sure to check that there are no circling

roots to cause girdling

• Make sure that the root flare is at ground level

• Backfill with unamended soil

Drawbacks to Container Trees

• If the trees have been growing to long in the container – their roots may be to girdled

Girdled Roots and Buried to Deep

Things Not to Do

Healthy Root Flare

Pruning Reasons to Prune

• Three Ds o Damagedo Diseasedo Dead

Understanding Tree Anatomy

Branch Anatomy

Tree pruned outside branch collar

Pruning Cut Should Look Like a Donut When Healing

Drawing by Eva Monheim

Improper Pruning

Proper Pruning • Leads to an overall healthier tree

• A tree that will withstand storms better

• Gives the tree the opportunity to have a long and happy life – well beyond our lifetime

If Your Tree is Planted Right and Pruned Properly the Tree Will Live for Generations

Thank You!