Examples of tree for differing conditions
Hornbeam Family - Carpinus Badly drained soil
Poplar, Aspen, Cottonwood
Family - Populus Badly drained soil
Ash Family - Fraxinus Chalky soil
Oak Family - Quercus Chalky soil
Alder Family - Alder Damp soil in partial shade
• What is the site’s average annual rainfall?
• Are drainage pipes present? (if so, avoid pipe loving roots such as those found on Poplar)
• Is the soil free draining or prone to waterlogging?
• Is the soil acidic or alkaline? • Is the soil fertile or not?
• Do sapling snapping adolescents live in the area? (which will influence the size of the tree to be planted)
The tree’s characteristics
• Do you want the tree to provide full or dappled shade?
• Do you want the tree to provide a splash of colour?
• Do you want an evergreen or deciduous tree?
• What eventual shape and size do you want? (short, tall, bushy, columnar, spreading, weeping, open?)
3) Types of saplings available and the time of year to plant them
Bare-root: Bare root saplings have virtually no soil on their roots, and are bought when they are dormant i.e. not in leaf. Bare-root saplings are usually only available for deciduous trees, and are generally the cheapest option to buy. Bare-roots can be planted in mid autumn to mid spring, but don't let the roots dry out prior to planting, otherwise you'll be planting dead wood.
Redbud Family - Cercis
Well drained soil in full sun
Eucalyptus Family - Eucalyptus
Well drained soil in full sun
Beech Family - Nothofagus Sheltered areas
American Sweetgum, Redgum
Family - Liquidambar Autumn colour
Locust tree Family - Robinia Autumn colour
Root-balled: A root-balled sapling is where the soil surrounding the roots is still intact, and is held in place by a hessian sack or other such liner. They are more expensive than bare-root plants, but cheaper than container grown examples; root-ball specimens can be planted early to mid autumn, or mid to late spring.
Container grown: Container grown plants are expensive, but can be planted any time of year, ground weather conditions permitting. However, it is important that you ensure the plant is not pot bound (an over-crowded root system), as more often than not pot bound plants do not establish an effective root system when planted.
It is preferable to plant any new saplings in the autumn, as it enables the roots of the tree to establish before the arrival of winter, making the tree more likely to survive any hot dry spells the following summer. It would be prudent, however, to have a ready available supply of irrigation in case of prolonged dry periods during the first year of establishment.
4) Size of tree
The choice for size and shape of the sapling to be planted can vary, and are generally referred to as transplants, whips, feathered and standards.
Transplant: Transplants are cuttings or seedlings that are grown on and transplanted in a nursery. Transplants
Horse Chestnuts, Buckeyes
Family - Aesculus Full sun
Hawthorn Family - Crataegus Seaside areas
Rowan Family - Sorbus Seaside areas
Maple, Sycamore Family - Acer Industrial areas
Birch Family - Betula Industrial areas
can be up to four years old, and tend to have a bushy growth habit.
Whip: Single whip-like shoots, the height of which varies.
Feathered: A spread of lateral branches extending from a single main stem. The lateral branches begin at ground level.
Standard: A single main stem up to three metres tall, with no lateral branches above ground level for the first 1.5 metres.
As a general rule of thumb, larger specimens, such as a Standard, are more expensive to buy, require more labour to plant them, and take longer to establish. However, their advantage is that their impact is immediate and they are less vulnerable to vandalism from the local sapling snapping adolescent contingent. Smaller trees, such as whips, are usually cheaper and establish more quickly, although they don't have the immediate impact that larger specimens have, and they can be more susceptible to damage.
5) Planting scheme
Single specimen trees can be planted pretty much anywhere, as long as they are suitable for the surrounding environment and don’t interfere with play, although consideration must be given for any buildings or plants that may be affected by an adjacent tree. For instance, you are planting at your peril if you stick a big tree right in front of the neighbouring retirement home’s lounge window, because you’ll soon find yourself
You are planting at your peril if you stick a big tree right in front of the neighbouring retirement home’s lounge window...
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