Planting New Trees, Shrubs, and Bushes

Planting new trees, shrubs, and bushes is a fulfilling venture. Many would-be gardeners and landscapers are intimidated by such projects thinking them a chore rather than an art form. Children stand staring in wonder looking at a huge, old oak or maple tree in the yard of a friend or neighbor. Some children climb the limbs of trees for fun and adventure while others sit under the shade of a canopy and read or play tag. Robert Frost wrote:

‚”I’d like to go by climbing a birch tree,

And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk

Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,

But dipped its top and set me down again.

That would be good both going and coming back.

One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.” (1)

Landscaping with Trees

Trees truly become a joy to those that have the opportunity to watch them grow. There are many different types of trees available to consumers, either through home improvement retailers or through local growers and nurseries. These types include shade, fruit, ornamental, serpentine, and flowering trees.

Visit local gardening outlets to see which varieties are available. Stock on hand can vary considerable from one location to another. Keep in mind that certain trees are hardy according to different locations in the country. Before falling in love with a certain tree variety, be sure that the tree will survive the winter months in its desired location.

Landscaping with Shrubs and Bushes

Bushes and shrubs play a somewhat different role in residential landscaping. They can act as natural barriers when they are full grown. Some shrub and bush varieties can be trimmed and manicured to take on a variety of interesting shapes. Some varieties flower in the spring and change colors in the fall, adding interest and beauty to the overall landscape.

Look at photos of full-grown specimens before making a final decision. When the final decision is made and it is time to plant the chosen varieties in the ground, there are a few simple steps to follow to ensure the trees, shrubs, and bushed chosen will transition well to their new homes.

How to Plant Trees, Shrubs, and Bushes

The supplies needed include:

• A round nose shovel
• Composted organic matter
• Tree and shrub fertilizer
• Vitamin B1 liquid
• Small hand shovel
• Water
• Work gloves
• Wheel barrow

When all of the needed supplies are gathered and ready, dig a hole in the ground in the desired location that is double the diameter of the container that houses the plant’s root ball and the same depth. If the diameter of a tree root ball container is 15 inches and the depth is also 15 inches, the hole in the ground should be 30 inches around and 15 inches deep.

Place the native soil taken from the hole into a wheel barrow and mix composted organic matter into the soil so the mixture is about 50/50 native soil to compost. A shovel is a good tool to use to mix the soil and compost. The mixture should be evenly mixed without areas that are all soil or all compost.

Sprinkle a tablespoon of granular fertilizer into the bottom of the hole. Take the container off of the root ball and place the tree, shrub, or bush into the hole. Remember, the top of the soil that the root ball is protected by should be level with the ground. Use a shovel to fill the rest of the hole with the soil/compost mixture.

The next thing to do is very important and may have a huge impact on the survival of the tree, shrub, or bush. Mix one to two gallons of vitamin B1 in a watering can and apply this mixture to the root ball as soon as it is planted for its first watering, and water it in well. The vitamin B1 will decrease the amount of transplant shock that the tree, shrub, or bush will experience for the first few weeks after planting. Transplant shock kills a large number of new plants, and this is easily prevented.

If a new tree is planted in a windy or breezy area, tie it into place loosely with two wooden or metal stakes and plant ties. These should be left in place for about two years, or until the tree is well-established. Otherwise, the wind will blow it around and it may not grow straight and true.

Keep the new plants well- watered for the first four to eight weeks after they are planted. They need to be fertilized annually in the spring. To determine the best planting times, contact a local county extension office for their recommendations.

See Also:

Starting Flower and Vegetable Seeds Indoors

(1) Frost, Robert. Mountain Interval. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1920; Bartleby.com, 1999. [07/07/2010].