Trees are a valuable addition to a home’s landscape. They provide shade, fresh oxygen, and aesthetic benefits. But if your landscape currently lacks trees, you’ll need to plant some seedlings.
Being that seedlings are young, though, there are certain precautions you must take to minimize stress.
Choose the Right Variety
First and foremost, it’s important to choose the right variety of tree for your landscape.
Different trees thrive in different climates; therefore, you need to choose a variety that’s suitable for your particular region.
Refer to the USDA Hardiness Zone Map at www.planthardiness.ars.usda.gov for more information about which trees are suitable for your home’s landscape.
Don’t Touch the Roots
While easier said than done, you should try to avoid touching the seedling’s roots as much as possible. The roots are highly sensitive, and touching them will cause additional stress.
If you are transplanting a seedling, wear gloves and work your way around the roots. When planting a seedling from a pot, use caution to avoid touching the roots.
The bottom line is that you need to leave the roots untouched to prevent undue stress.
Plant During the Spring
Generally speaking, it’s best to plant tree seedlings during the early spring, as this provides the highest chance of success.
This is the time of the year when the soil is moist and the temperatures are mild. Of course, you can still plant seedlings later in the spring – and sometimes even the summer.
However, you should avoid planting during the fall and winter. Stick with the spring months, preferably early spring, to increase your chance of success when planting tree seedlings.
Provide Ample Spaces
Trees need plenty of space in which to grow. If there are other trees and plants nearby, it may restrict their nutritional intake, which can hinder their growth and development.
So when planting a tree seedling in your yard, choose a location that’s open and free from other plant life.
Check the pH Level
What’s the soil’s pH level? You should use a pH testing kit to answer this question before attempting to plant your seedling. If the soil is too acidic or too alkaline, you’ll need to fix it; otherwise, your seedling may fail to take root and grow.
Fertilizing
You should also fertilize the soil surrounding your tree seedling after planting it. This additional kick of nutrients will help it grow while also fending off certain types of disease and illness.
The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.
If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or
I would like to get some help choosing the right kind of tree service for the job. I want to get a tree removal service that will be able to get the big trees pulled out. I know that it would be really beneficial to get a company that knows how to take them down without hurting everything.
Thanks for that tip about planting in the spring. That’s really when the conditions are the best I think. Too early or too late can make the growing process difficult on the seedling, especially for a tree.