Gardenscapes by Joanna LLC

Proper Tree Care

Breathe Free and Plant Trees!

We must do our part to clean up the atmosphere, reduce our energy and carbon consumption. 

A tree does not reach its most productive stage of carbon storage for about 10 years and many trees don't survive that long.  We need to properly plant, water and mulch our trees in order for them to thrive.

One hundred mature trees catch about 539,000 gallons of rain water per year.  The healthier your tree is, the larger it grows the more carbon it can absorb. 

In one year, a single tree can absorb as much carbon as is produced by a car driven 26,000 miles.

 Find the main root system, and remove excess soil.  You are looking for the very important trunk flare.

Dig the hole two to three times the width of the root ball or container.  Dig the hole only as deep as the root ball, no deeper or you will eventually kill your tree.  (Or let us plant it for you.)          

 Remove the burlap, twine and two-thirds of the wire basket. (You will need to use wire cutters.)  Backfill your hole with the original soil, breaking up large clods with your shovel.

Water the root ball and entire backfilled area.   

Below is an example of root systems for two identical Redbud Trees - one planted in grass and one planted with mulch around it.  Look at the healthy root system of the Redbud that is mulched.  Turf out competes the roots of trees for water and nutrients.  Put a 2-inch layer of mulch over the backfilled area.  Pull mulch away from the trunk so that it does not touch the bark.

In 1969, Rogers and Head, dissected a small apple tree to show how the roots extend out and stretch farther than the canopy.  This is also known as the drip line.  This also emphasizes the important feeder roots that take in nutrients and chemicals out of the soil are located in the top 18 inches of the soil.  Protect the tree's root system by mulching to extend the life of your tree.

 As the tree grows and its root system expands, it is important to keep mowers and weed wackers away from the trunk and protect the root system.

A four-inch caliper silver maple can eliminate 700 gallons of storm water runoff per year!

Let's do our part and make a commitment to plant and care for trees!