Tree planting is a wonderful way to increase the aesthetic, environmental and economic value of your residential property. However, while tree planting may seem like a simple process, there are many common mistakes people make when planting trees that can easily lead to stunted growth and even tree death. Trees are an important investment so it is critical to ensure each step of the tree planting process is handled with care and safety. Avoiding these simple tree-planting mistakes can improve the health, stability and longevity of your new trees by many years.
When it comes to tree planting, tree selection and planting locations are vitally important, as discussed in our previous blog post. Once you have identified a healthy, stable tree to plant that is hopefully native to the Gulf Coast, and a proper place to plant it, the next step is digging the hole and preparing the tree for planting. Two common tree-planting mistakes often occur when the tree hole is dug to hold the root ball, and these digging mistakes can be detrimental to the tree’s long-term health and stability.
A common mistake to avoid when planting a tree is not digging a hole wide enough to give the tree’s root ball ample space to expand and grow. Many times people will dig a hole just slightly wider than the tree’s root ball, which does not allow the roots to properly expand and thrive. The roots should not fit snugly into the hole but should have at least double the width of the root ball around it. In addition, many property owners have high concentrations of clay in their soil, which can make it even harder for new trees to succeed in their new locations since new root shoots have difficulty pushing through the hard clay. By providing ample space around a tree root ball, this gives property owners an opportunity to surround the tree base and roots with healthy, soft organic soil that can promote growth and root expansion. The tree will not have to work as hard to thrive and grow, thus gaining nutrients and strength even faster.
Additionally, another common mistake regarding tree planting occurs when the planting hole is dug too deep for the root ball. Trees that are planted and buried too far into the ground cannot thrive because the root system may not be able to obtain vital nutrients such as oxygen, water and sunlight. The tree will not grow well and will be more susceptible to insect and disease infestation because of its weakened health and defenses.
By avoiding both of these common tree planting mistakes, residential property owners can significantly reduce the likelihood of costlier tree care maintenance and repair in the future such as root girdling. Root girdling, a potentially deadly tree ailment, occurs when tree roots begin circling the tree trunk and cut off access to oxygen, water and other nutrients. To repair this tree issue, property owners must have root flare excavation done to remove circling roots and save the tree from death. Instead, trees planted at the correct depth and with ample space around the tree roots will be healthier, stronger and less likely to have issues with root girdling, insect infestation, tree diseases and more.
For residential property owners interested in planting trees on their property, the best course of action is to simply hire Certified Arborists to plant and maintain new trees to ensure their health, beauty and longevity. Embark Services, Houston’s leader in tree care services, is proud to offer a variety of tree planting and tree maintenance services handled by their Certified Arborists, who are experts in tree biology, tree planting, tree maintenance and tree repair. Trees planted by Embark Services’s tree care team will thrive and provide years of enjoyment for you and your family. Embark Services’s Certified Arborists can handle tree planting of all sizes and will ensure your tree planting project is handled with professionalism, safety and care. Contact Embark Services today for more information or request a consultation online.
