root mass but never deeper than the plant was growing in its previous environment . With trees , an even better guide is to look for the flare of the trunk near the soil level . Plant your new trees and shrubs high because soil is going to settle . By placing transplants in their new environment with up to 25 % of the root ball higher than the surrounding soil level , you will avoid future drowning your new plant . Then taper the soil up to cover all the roots and add a generous layer of mulch above that . Newly disturbed soil has a tendency to settle , and shrubs and trees planted below grade can easily succumb to root rot or disease . In my book , it ’ s always better to plant a tree or shrub slightly high and allow the area to drain than for a plant to sit in a bowl and collect excess water . More plants die from over-watering ( drowning ) than under watering . Be sure to lightly tamp or hand-pack the soil around the plant roots to ensure good soil to root contact . I add water to the hole after backfilling halfway . Not only does it provide needed moisture but also the water helps eliminate air pockets that could otherwise result in dead roots . Water again thoroughly once all the soil is in place . I like to use a hose-end nozzle or wand that delivers a strong blast of water to break up clumpy soil and allow new soil to fill in and settle into those vacated air pockets . Place about three inches of organic matter such as shredded leaves , or ground bark , or wood mulch around the plant , at least out to the drip line . Further is better . Mulch helps retain much-needed moisture and helps keep roots cooler near the surface — a very important requirement for newly installed plants . Do not make mulch volcanoes though ! Piling mulch up around your trees is a
killer and I see it all the time . When watering your new plantings , you must pay attention to what is going on with the plants . Be aware there ’ s a fine line between watering enough and watering too much — especially with large trees that arrive with root
January and February are usually our coldest months in the south . Fall and early winter is the perfect time to add trees to your landscape .
balls wrapped in burlap . These trees have lost all their feeder roots when dug from the ground . Providing adequate water is critical to their survival and establishment . This has killed more than one tree by over-watering . Even if you prepare a large planting hole when drainage is poor , the root ball may be sitting in water and literally drowning , and you won ’ t know realize it until it ’ s too late .
There ’ s no easy way to know deep down how wet the soil is . The best advice is to pay close attention to how the tree responds ( and all your plants for that matter ). While it ’ s common for them to lose up to half their leaves to stress ( a normal part of the process ), more can indicate a potential problem . If you sense the tree is responding poorly , and you are watering consistently , you ’ re likely over-watering . If the leaves are turning brown , burning around the margins , drying up , or falling off , and the soil appears dry , water more .
To add to the challenge , soil that appears dry at the top , may be very wet a few inches down . And the opposite is true as well . Finally , winter conditions can become very dry . Occasional watering throughout the season may be necessary to prevent plants from becoming too dry . Roots are still growing , and soil moisture is essential for proper establishment . The “ eye of the master ” is critical when monitoring moisture conditions and paying attention to temperature . Hotter weather increases water demand , especially for newly panted trees who are trying to get root establishment .
Planting trees are one of the best ways you can improve our environment . Trees are a bit of a miracle , in more ways than one but one of their best qualities is their ability to act like sponges for carbon . They absorb carbon by removing it from the air and locking it in their wood and roots – and they can do so for decades , or even centuries . A single tree can absorb as much as 22kg of carbon each year , and it can lock away 1 ton of the stuff by the time it reaches the age of 40 . Annually , an acre of trees absorbs the same amount of carbon as if you drove your car 26,000 miles . Trees don ’ t just munch carbon – they also produce oxygen . In fact , one tree can produce enough oxygen for four people . But they don ’ t just enrich the air we breathe . They also purify it . Trees can absorb pollutant gases such as nitrogen oxides , ozone , ammonia and sulfur dioxide . It ’ s another reason why a walk in a forest makes us feel so good . Trees cool the air around your home with their shade and light absorption making for lower energy use .
For more information on the benefit of trees or planting information contact your local MSU Extension agent at smh964 @ msstate . edu
26 • MERIDIAN LIFE