Classics
The following article has been selected because it is deemed very important to the arboricultural profession
and deserves special recognition. It has appeared in a previous Seminar and because of this it is not eligible for earning certification credits; there is no test at the end of this article.
Tree Planting Checklist
Edited by Len Phillips
What are the steps required to ensure that the new trees we plant will thrive and grow to maturity? If the list below is followed precisely, every new urban tree should survive and thrive.
1. pre-planning to determine:
a) reason to plant – tree advisory board, political decision, society value, or professional directive
b) diversify tree plantings with no more than 10% of any species, 20% of any genus
c) the amount of growing soil volume available to match tree size at maturity
d) sufficient budget for planting and maintenance
2. examine site
a) study soil – dry bulk density, texture, topography, volume of quality soil, pH
b) utility locations – overhead and underground
c) good drainage, ample soil moisture, test for drainage rate
d) amount of sun & shade
e) space necessary for tree at mature size and canopy coverage
f) USDA Hardiness Zone
3. stock selection
a) species – select the right tree for the right place, its growth habit and ultimate size
b) purchase good quality stock
c) select pest and disease resistant trees
d) select digging method most suitable for the tree – bare root, B&B, container, tree spade
e) must be non-invasive unless it is the only tree suitable for the site
f) size – smaller planting size provides more rapid growth and less transplant shock than larger size trunk
g) select trees with fibrous roots and root flare at the soil surface
h) plant native trees in native soil; plant improved cultivars in our cities
4. shipping
a) properly dug from the nursery and handled according to American Standards for Nursery Stock
b) keep roots moist at all times
c) bare root trees should have roots dipped in hydrogel and placed in a large plastic bag at the nursery
d) branches should be tied up to prevent breakage during shipping
e) trunk should be wrapped on thin-barked trees only – unwrap at planting site to check for injuries
f) upon arrival at the city, the trees should be stored in shade and where the trees can be frequently watered
5. Planting correctly
a) dig a planting pit in saucer shape, 3 times the root ball diameter and only as deep as the root ball
b) loosen and aerate any compacted soil 3 to 5 times the root ball diameter
c) set tree on firm but not compacted soil
d) if the tree has a thin bark, orient the tree same as at nursery, so the largest branches are facing southwest
e) with the tree in the hole, carefully remove all containers, wire, rope, and burlap from root ball
f) inspect roots for deformities and arrange all roots to grow away from the trunk
g) remove broken, dead, damaged, or diseased branches and roots
h) root flare should be at one or two inches above finished grade
i) label tree on plan or map if long-term remembrance is necessary
j) remove all tags, tape, and trunk coverings from the branches and trunk
k) if soil conditions warrant, add amendments such as mycorrhizae, compost, biochar, fertilizer, etc.
l) backfill with soil removed from the hole
m) properly stake and fence only if necessary – remove at the end of the first growing season
6. water
a) add water when tree is half planted and jiggle tree to be sure soil contacts all roots
b) when all remaining soil has been added, build a small berm around the entire planting area to hold water
c) water again when berm is completely finished, then add mulch
d) water 2 more times in first 24 hours
e) water daily for first 2 weeks, depending on rainfall
f) water weekly to the end of first growing season, depending on rainfall
g) large caliper trees may need weekly watering through dry periods in the next several growing seasons
7. maintenance
a) add organic mulch starting 6 inches from trunk and covering the entire excavated area 3 inches deep
b) weed as necessary
c) water as necessary
d) weekly inspections for first year
e) annual inspections as necessary
f) at 5 years remove one end of any co-dominant leaders that appeared after planting
8. establishment defined
a) determine survival rate in 5, 10, or 20 years
b) evaluate species selections
c) measurement of root colonization in surrounding soil
d) measure growth rate of twigs
e) evaluation of planting program
Source
LinkedIn’s Urban Forestry Discussion Group, “Tree planting process”, October to November 2014.
The following article has been selected because it is deemed very important to the arboricultural profession
and deserves special recognition. It has appeared in a previous Seminar and because of this it is not eligible for earning certification credits; there is no test at the end of this article.
Tree Planting Checklist
Edited by Len Phillips
What are the steps required to ensure that the new trees we plant will thrive and grow to maturity? If the list below is followed precisely, every new urban tree should survive and thrive.
1. pre-planning to determine:
a) reason to plant – tree advisory board, political decision, society value, or professional directive
b) diversify tree plantings with no more than 10% of any species, 20% of any genus
c) the amount of growing soil volume available to match tree size at maturity
d) sufficient budget for planting and maintenance
2. examine site
a) study soil – dry bulk density, texture, topography, volume of quality soil, pH
b) utility locations – overhead and underground
c) good drainage, ample soil moisture, test for drainage rate
d) amount of sun & shade
e) space necessary for tree at mature size and canopy coverage
f) USDA Hardiness Zone
3. stock selection
a) species – select the right tree for the right place, its growth habit and ultimate size
b) purchase good quality stock
c) select pest and disease resistant trees
d) select digging method most suitable for the tree – bare root, B&B, container, tree spade
e) must be non-invasive unless it is the only tree suitable for the site
f) size – smaller planting size provides more rapid growth and less transplant shock than larger size trunk
g) select trees with fibrous roots and root flare at the soil surface
h) plant native trees in native soil; plant improved cultivars in our cities
4. shipping
a) properly dug from the nursery and handled according to American Standards for Nursery Stock
b) keep roots moist at all times
c) bare root trees should have roots dipped in hydrogel and placed in a large plastic bag at the nursery
d) branches should be tied up to prevent breakage during shipping
e) trunk should be wrapped on thin-barked trees only – unwrap at planting site to check for injuries
f) upon arrival at the city, the trees should be stored in shade and where the trees can be frequently watered
5. Planting correctly
a) dig a planting pit in saucer shape, 3 times the root ball diameter and only as deep as the root ball
b) loosen and aerate any compacted soil 3 to 5 times the root ball diameter
c) set tree on firm but not compacted soil
d) if the tree has a thin bark, orient the tree same as at nursery, so the largest branches are facing southwest
e) with the tree in the hole, carefully remove all containers, wire, rope, and burlap from root ball
f) inspect roots for deformities and arrange all roots to grow away from the trunk
g) remove broken, dead, damaged, or diseased branches and roots
h) root flare should be at one or two inches above finished grade
i) label tree on plan or map if long-term remembrance is necessary
j) remove all tags, tape, and trunk coverings from the branches and trunk
k) if soil conditions warrant, add amendments such as mycorrhizae, compost, biochar, fertilizer, etc.
l) backfill with soil removed from the hole
m) properly stake and fence only if necessary – remove at the end of the first growing season
6. water
a) add water when tree is half planted and jiggle tree to be sure soil contacts all roots
b) when all remaining soil has been added, build a small berm around the entire planting area to hold water
c) water again when berm is completely finished, then add mulch
d) water 2 more times in first 24 hours
e) water daily for first 2 weeks, depending on rainfall
f) water weekly to the end of first growing season, depending on rainfall
g) large caliper trees may need weekly watering through dry periods in the next several growing seasons
7. maintenance
a) add organic mulch starting 6 inches from trunk and covering the entire excavated area 3 inches deep
b) weed as necessary
c) water as necessary
d) weekly inspections for first year
e) annual inspections as necessary
f) at 5 years remove one end of any co-dominant leaders that appeared after planting
8. establishment defined
a) determine survival rate in 5, 10, or 20 years
b) evaluate species selections
c) measurement of root colonization in surrounding soil
d) measure growth rate of twigs
e) evaluation of planting program
Source
LinkedIn’s Urban Forestry Discussion Group, “Tree planting process”, October to November 2014.