Greener Better Dallas

Planting My Tree

Fall is the time to choose planting locations, treat competing vegetation, and contact vendors to schedule tree and supply orders. An old saying in the tree-planting world is “You don’t want a $100 tree in a $5 hole.” Proper site preparation will give your trees the best chance for healthy, long, and productive lives. Planting trees in groups will increase safety and limit care.

The first step in site preparation is matching the location to the tree. Look up, down, and all around. Overhead utility lines, underground obstructions, surrounding buildings and vegetation on site are just a few of the variables that should be considered. The right tree species should fit the space when mature, enhance the surroundings, and provide maximum benefits with minimum liabilities. Plant no closer than one tree length from your house.

Treating competing vegetation will enhance growing conditions for the tree. Grass and other vegetation may be removed by chemical or mechanical means. Often a combination of chemical application with mechanical cultivation is optimal. Do not add fertilizer or soil amendments as this may cause a potting effect and restrict future root growth.