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I'm in Colorado Springs at about 6,000 feet of elevation. We haven't gotten much snow this winter, but I think we'll get a little more before summer. Is it too soon to plant trees? I'd guess not, and a bit of spring snow wouldn't bother a new tree, but I figured I'd ask.
I'm certainly no arborist, but I will say that you need to wrap young trees until they grow real bark. I'd guess the first couple of years at the least, and you really should deep root water them at least once a month pretty much all year around...and water the shit out of em for the first few months in the ground. Be careful to not over water coniferous species.
To me it seems a bit early for planting yet.
Great info on wrapping the tree/bark; I'll look into it. [Awesom] I'm pretty good about watering new trees. I've been watering the rest of the trees all winter. I haven't noticed anyone else doing that; I think the neighbors are going to have a lot of dead trees this year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Otterbatcat
You should be fine. be careful not to wind burn them when transporting them from the nursery. I wrap all trees with a diameter less than a coke can every year. Depending on your soil you might be advised to augment by the nursery. Be sure to take the root ball cage off (yeah i've seen it). You may consider digging a tree ring. one thing I've done is put pvc pipes in the hole with the end day-lighted and allow you to water deeper and encourage root growth deeper, pull them for the first winter by soaking the ground around them and twist/pull.
Wrap before winter then remove in the spring?Quote:
Originally Posted by Wulf202
Nursery?? [LOL] (I bought the tree at Walmart.)
Yes, wrap around holloween, remove around mothers day.
and if your yard gets regularly visited by deer be sure to cage the tree to keep bucks from rubbing come this fall. Deer seem to love to rub small trees.
If the tree has been outside through the winter - plant it. If it has been stored inside acclimate it over the course of couple days. Low chance of harsh temps but it is "spring time and Colorado", anything "can" happen. As with all young plants, try to avoid shocking it.
If you already have the tree, make sure you keep the cold air away from the root ball. Air temps can easily get lower than soil temps.
...and if you already have the tree, and the ground is soft enough that you can dig an adequate hole for it, might as well plant it.
You didn't mention what variety of tree you have to plant, but it's a good idea to protect it from wildlife.
Should have gone to Dollar Tree [ROFL2]Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim B
Wulf, by a Tree Ring, do you mean one of those plastic circles that go around the tree, leaving a space that will hold the water in and let it soak in?
Got it. [Awesom]Quote:
Originally Posted by Wulf202
You want to plant a tree during the dormant season, the tree will be less stressed as it starts to establish. I would have planted a month or two ago.
A "tree ring" is an area approximately the diameter of the limb circle of the tree. This is known as the drip ring of the tree. Mulch this area, you may want to berm it as well. This will help the drip ring hold water better ensuring it reaches the critical feeder roots of an immature, non established tree.
Guy wires/ ties are a good idea as well for young trees given our winds. 3 guys at 120 degrees apart with one of the guys oriented to the northwest (prevailing direction of winds on the front range). A garden store should have webbing straps for guying trees, you want a wide point of contact with the bark. Don't do the dumb thing of running the guy wire through a piece of hose and then going around the trunk. You create a pressure point on the bark and stand the chance of effectively choking that area and above creating a weak point on the trunk.
Keep the drip ring moist but not soaking wet.
It usually takes about 2 years for a 3-4" sapling to become established to the point where wrap and guys are no longer needed.
I think that's what I'm going to do.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gman
It's an October Glory red maple. Pretty small, but it's got a nice shape to it. Bark, trunk, etc. all look to be in good shape. If it survives, it should be a nice-looking tree.
It's in a fenced back yard, so no real worries about deer.
Do they sell trees? [Tooth]Quote:
Originally Posted by StagLefty
I went to a few nurseries here in COS several years ago. IIRC, everything was $300+. Not for me...[Shake]
I know the procedures for planting, I was just wondering if it's too early. (Sounds like it's not.) Previously, I hadn't put anything in the ground before May.Quote:
Originally Posted by BPTactical
This climate sucks for Fruit trees and many Nut bearing trees.
I know Spencers has trees that they keep outside and they can provide lots of information.