There is no better time than the present to grab a new tree
for your yard, school, park
or street. Many deserving open spaces could use the shade and
beauty trees provide.

In early spring, many people become anxious to run their
fingers through the soil and
see all the living things come out of dormancy.

Spring is a great time to get out and look at your natural
surroundings, framed and
shaded by trees. Almost everyone’s quality-of-life could be
improved by planting trees.

The old adage remains true today that the first outdoor
gardening of the season is tree
planting. Tree planting is an optimistic, life-affirming action
of long-term investment we
all need. Plant a tree with your children or your neighbor’s
children.

Which tree should you plant?

Every spring many guides and lists catalog new, old, exotic
and native trees. They come
in most shapes, sizes and temperaments. A number of trees will
fit any available site.

Pick one out and plant it!

If a site has limited overhead growing space, use a small
tree. If you have only a
planting site in a narrow spot, use a tree with a slim, upright
form.

Every tree has a set of attributes that helps it survive.
Match the biology of the tree
to an appropriate site. Don’t randomly, or without
consideration, plop any tree onto any
site.

All trees have unique features, as well as traits in common,
that provide a variety of
values to a site. Depending on your objectives, many trees can
generate the desired
results. Don’t be concerned if you can’t find that one specific
tree for a specific spot.
There are many great trees.

When buying a tree, go to your local tree nursery or garden
center. Look for a healthy,
structurally sound tree with a large root ball or root area.

Remember, for trees to get establishment quickly and start
growing well, a large,
well-tended root mass is essential.

Because of the potential for bark damage in spring, don’t
handle or lift the tree by
the stem. Always lift a young tree by the root mass or
container.

Make sure the tree roots don’t get too warm or dry before you
plant it. Too much water
will damage the tree, too.

Some people feel spring in their bones and head off to the
woods to steal baby trees
from their family groups. When they do, they bring home poor
quality, pest-infected trees,
spoil their landscapes and waste their time.

Buying a well-cared-for tree from a reputable nursery or
garden center is always your
best investment.

Which tree you plant is not as important as ensuring any tree
has enough resources to
survive and thrive.

Trees especially need areas with ample open soil surface. The
physical space required
to allow a tree to grow well can’t be minimized if you want a
long-lived, high-quality
tree. If all you have is a poor site, in the end all you will
get is a poor tree,
regardless of what you bought.

Soil quality is important to getting the tree off to a good
start. Preventing even
minor amounts of soil compaction, using a thin layer of mulch,
reducing competition and
providing adequate water and essential elements will help your
new tree.

Buy a great tree and give it a great site with plenty of room
on which to grow.

Don’t wait until spring has fully sprung to consider planting
a tree. Those open spots
around your community and in your yard deserve a touch of
life.