Tree Planting
Trees are not only a beautiful addition to the landscape , but they also provide invaluable benefits to cities . They reduce heat by cooling and shading homes during the hot summer months , decreasing the amount of energy required to cool a home and its related electric bills . Mature trees can actually cut summer cooling costs by 40 % and tree-lined blocks can even decrease local temperatures . Trees naturally clean the air of pollutants and create a neighborhood noise buffer . Trees also improve stormwater management , reducing the amount of polluted stormwater that normally would go directly into storm drains . Tree roots also allow rainwater to filter back into the soil , recharging the often thirsty water table .
How to Plant Your Tree
It is important to carefully choose the site where you will plant your tree before digging . Pay special attention to where the tree will be planted making sure that it will have plenty of clearance from obstructions as the tree matures . Overhead power lines , underground lines , sidewalks , and buildings should be given consideration before choosing the planting site .
Correct soil preparation encourages root growth reducing the difficulties already challenging the young tree . Most roots spread through the top 12 " of soil in a wide periphery around the tree . Slope the side of the hole and dig or deeply rototill an area around the hole at least twice the diameter of the container .
Plant the tree with the top of the root ball even with the surrounding terrain . When wet conditions or heavy soil are problems , raising several inches of the root ball above ground will aid the spread of lateral roots .
Backfill with native soil or a mix of native soil and high quality top soil . Gently pack and soak with water . Add a 2-3 ” thick mulch layer around the tree out to the edge of the drip line , mounding the mulch at the outer edge to create a bowl effect . Be careful not to let the mulch touch the trunk of the tree . The best time to plant trees in the Arlington area is between December and March .
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Key Terms : ROTOTILL : To cultivate or dig with a rotiller .