Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Trees,
but were afraid to ask!
Pam Wallace, UC Master Gardener

Are you a new homeowner with a developer-supplied landscaped front yard, but a bare patch of dirt for a back yard? Or perhaps you've just bought an older house where the landscape has been neglected and needs a serious upgrade to fit your lifestyle? February is the perfect time to think about the needs of your yard and trees are a good place to start.

Why are trees important to us? Trees add beauty and value to our landscapes and they enhance the quality of city life. They provide shade, windbreaks, and a habitat for wildlife. They reduce soil erosion and noise pollution. But perhaps the most important reason to plant a tree is that trees provide us with pleasure and tranquility.

Before you run to the nursery and buy the first tree you see, there are several factors you must first consider.

Size of space - Since a tree is an investment of not only money but also time as it matures, choosing the best tree for your site is imperative. Accurately measure the area to determine what mature tree size the site can easily accommodate. How close is your driveway, sidewalk, fence, or house to the site? How close is the site to your neighbor's property line or structures? Where are the utility lines? Keep these structures in mind and be sure to plant about 10 feet away to protect them from large tree roots.
Irrigation - Put your trees on a separate irrigation valve from your lawns and small plants. Trees do better with infrequent, long watering to encourage deep root development as they grow. However, during the first year, they will require more frequent watering, especially during their first summer.
Deciduous or Evergreen - Do you want your tree to stay green all year long? If so, then choose an evergreen tree. To let some winter sunshine into your house, select a deciduous tree. Either way, consider tree litter (leaves, twigs, flower and fruit parts, etc.). Evergreen trees drop some of their leaves all year long, while deciduous trees will drop them all in late fall. Try to plant your tree where it has room to drop its litter without "dirtying up" the walking paths, patio, or driveway.
Selecting a healthy young tree - Carefully inspect the tree to insure the crown, trunk and roots are healthy. Take extra care to ensure the roots are not kinked or circling by pulling the tree out of the container to take a peek. Choose trees with small branches ALL along the trunk, not just at the top.

Now that you've picked the perfect tree for your site, it's time to plant. Your planting hole should be only as deep as the root ball, but at least two times as wide. Do NOT plant the top of the root ball below the soil line; an inch or two above it is much better. Make sure the water will drain away from the trunk. ALWAYS remove the nursery stake that came with the tree and then decide IF you need to stake the tree. If the tree stands up fine on its own and appears stable enough to sustain some wind, then don't stake. If it needs support, then use a proper multi-staking system.

Proper care after planting will ensure the continued health of your tree. Do your trees a favor and leave a turf-free ring of at least two feet around them. Increase the size of the watering basin at the foot of the tree as it grows. It should extend out to the drip line of the tree. Once your tree is established, deep water it once a month. Most mature trees need four to six inches of water per month from late spring through early fall.

Pruning the young tree is the second important factor in your tree's health. If you've carefully chosen the proper tree for your site, then drastic pruning should not be necessary. If you train your tree when it's young with a few well-placed thinning type pruning cuts, the tree will grow naturally and provide years of enjoyment.

The UC Master Gardeners will be hosting a seminar on trees at the VISALIA HOME & PATIO Spring Festival on Friday, Feb. 6th, at 4 pm. A panel of Master Gardeners will present a slide show and then be available for questions. Come join us.

February 5, 2004