UF/IFAS
Okeechobee County Extension
Okeechobee, FL 34972-2578
Phone: (863) 763-6469
E- mail: edayen@ufl.edu
September 19, 2006
Feature Article - for immediate release.
Ed
Proper
Tree Planting
Trees
are probably the most permanent addition to a “Florida
Friendly Landscape” so site selection and proper
planting techniques are essential. Pick the site of
your tree carefully; make sure that when it grows taller
it will not interfere with other trees, power and
telephone lines and buildings. Tree roots extend far
out from the trunk, usually well beyond the drip line so
keep away from driveways, sidewalks, foundations and drain
fields.
Dig
a hole as wide as the root ball and an inch or two
shallower than the depth of the root ball. To
determine proper depth of the root ball find the point
where the topmost root emerges from the trunk.
Remove enough dirt from the top of the root ball so the
top most root is within the top two inches of soil.
Slide
the root ball out of the container or if wrapped with
material remove any string, rope, synthetic burlap,
strapping, plastic or other material that will not
decompose in the soil. If the root ball has circling
small roots make four vertical slices on each side of the
ball about one inch deep; this will encourage these root
to grow outward. Do not cut large roots, as the tree
may go into shock and die.
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Slide
the tree into the hole making sure the top of the root
ball is one to two inches above the soil surface and is
standing straight in the hole. If the root ball is
too deep establishment of the tree is delayed while the
roots grow up toward the soil surface. Take your shovel
and loosen the soil out from the root ball to the same
width as the ball. This will insure the roots have
loose soil to expand into. Then add ten to twenty
gallons of water to settle the soil and thoroughly water
the ball and surrounding area. Apply mulch to a
minimum eight foot diameter circle around the tree.
Do not apply mulch over the root ball area as that may
prevent water from penetrating.
Staking
the tree is recommended to hold the root ball firmly in
the soil and keep the tree upright. If the root ball
shifts for some reason new roots could break causing a set
back in growth of the tree. Use flexible ties and
remove once the tree is established as they could girdle
the tree.
Irrigating
recently installed trees is essential. To establish
a tree in sandy, well drained soil about three gallons of
water per inch of trunk diameter is needed almost daily in
the first several months. Be careful not to over
water if your soil is not well drained. Cut back on
the amount of water applied but not the frequency.
For more information on planting trees contact your local extension service office. If you are interested in having a Florida Friendly Yard please contact Ed Ayen at the Highlands County Extension Service office. Phone: (863) 402-6540 or email: edayen@ufl.edu . His office location is 4509 George Blvd. in Sebring, FL 33875-5837.
The Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program is being implemented through your local county extension service in Highlands, Okeechobee and Glades County and is partially funded from Clean Water Act Section 319 funding from the U. S. EPA through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
More information is available on
the Okeechobee web page, http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu.
If you need additional information on Florida Friendly
Yards, please email us
at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu
or call us at 863-763-6469. Local residents can stop
by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North in Okeechobee, and visit
our Okeechobee County Master Gardeners from 1 to 5 PM on
Tuesday afternoons.
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Trade names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information. They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS / University of Florida. Larry A. Arrington, Dean Last update: 09/18/2006 . This page is maintained by Dan Culbert |
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