There are many reasons why trees die. While fall is the perfect time to plant trees, it is very important to plan ahead if you want trees to survive and thrive.

Many homeowners, civic clubs and gardening groups are making plans to plant trees on Dec. 4 to celebrate South Carolina’s official Arbor Day. Keep the following tips in mind when planning a tree planting, and those trees will stand a better chance of thriving.

Choose a location with an existing automated irrigation system or install one before planting. The bucket brigade or hose dragging method gets old real fast. Newly planted trees need water even in winter if nature does not provide it on a weekly basis.

Consider what type of tree is best adapted for our climate and the specific location. You may really, really want to plant a spruce tree in hopes of using it for an outdoor Christmas tree year after year, but think again. Does the tree do well in our climate? Does the mature size and shape of the tree suit the location? Give your choice of tree careful forethought, and you are less likely to have to replace it down the road.

What type of traffic will there be in the area around the tree? You would not want to place a tree in harm’s way. Be sure the planting spot is not where vehicles or foot traffic will compact the soil around the tree. If it is placed in a lawn area, give it a wide ring of mulch so that the mower won’t sideswipe it, damaging the trunk.

Who will plant the tree, and how will they plant it? Proper planting can make all the difference in the world to the survival of a tree. If you are unsure of the best way to plant, find out from a knowledgeable source before planting day. It is often worth the extra cost, especially with larger trees, to have the nursery where you bought the tree do the planting. When it comes to Arbor Day plantings, professionals often just ask you to cover the cost of the supplies needed to do the job. The tree gets a healthy start, and you get to watch and learn.

Have a plan, in writing if necessary, for how the tree or trees will be maintained after planting. Who will check on the tree to see that it is getting the water it needs? Who will keep an eye out for insect or disease problems? Who will take care of any needed fertilizing or pruning of damaged limbs after a storm? It may sound picky, but these are all things that will determine the health and vigor of the tree.

There are many great sources for information on tree selection, planting and care. Your number one sources should be your local nursery or garden center where you buy the tree. Clemson Extension Service has loads of information both in its offices and online. The Arbor Day Foundation has information available by mail and online to help you with community tree planting activities and home landscape plantings.

To learn more about trees from a little different perspective, you might enjoy reading “How Trees Die” by Jeff Gillman or “The World Without Us” by Alan Weisman. “How Trees Die” looks at how essential healthy trees are to the environment. It gives you an inside view of how trees age and the many ways trees die. “The World Without Us” (also available on audio) explores the possibilities of how trees, and everything else, would fare if mankind were to vanish tomorrow. Both are very thought provoking.

T&D Garden Columnist Minnie Miller can be reached by writing to her at 138 Nature’s Trail, Bamberg, SC 29003.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 4:40 pm and was written by Minnie Miller. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.