Planting and Care of Your Trees

2. Planting and Care of Your Trees Randy Zondag The Ohio State University Extension-Lake County Tree Survival School 2010

3. Information on this Program • My Website : http://lake.osu.edu http://hcs.osu.edu/basicgreen • Links Weather stations Pest Management Information Programs

6. Hydrological Discontinuity

7. Transporting Nursery Plants

10. Introduction • Site Evaluation • Proper Tools • Site Preparation • Depth of Planting • Watering • Mulching • Staking? • Pruning • Future Care

11. Site Evaluation • Size : Will the plants fit in the future • Soils : Physical vs chemical characterisitcs • Buildings: • Existing plants • Utilities : Sewer, power, septic, gas,

12. SOIL: From the Ground, Up! Soil Profile: it looks like a layer cake

14. Soil Compaction

15. Why was the tree planted before the driveway was finished? Soil Structure and Compaction Where the rubber meets more than the road!

17. Air-Knife in Nursery Too Deep in Nursery Root growing to surface

18. When do we Plant ? • B&B- Spring and Fall • Bare root – mostly spring • Container –when the ground is workable

19. How Deep Should You Plant ? • So the flare of the plant is at the surface How Big Should The Hole Be? • Three times larger than the ball • Only as deep as the ball so the flare is at the surface • No topsoil should be added to the site Why?

21. Backfill • The soil that goes into the hole after planting. Use what is there.

22. Stalking ? • Why • How

24. Mulches Verses Soil Amendments • Mulches are course substances used to cover the surface of the ground for: • Moisture , temperature, weed control and appearance • Amendments are substances added to soil to improve soil structure and tilth.

25. What is Mulch? An organic or inorganic material applied to the soil surface, usually during the growing season, or over the plant for the dormant season.

26. Beautification To make surfaces more attractive To reduce soil splashing Enhance Usage To make surface areas more usable for paths, play, etc. Decrease Maintenance Surface Insulation To conserve moisture To moderate extremesin temperature Pest / Disease Management To prevent weeds To prevent disease To prevent insects Soil Amendment To improve aggregation To prevent soil compaction To increase water adsorption and retention To protect against erosion To increase soil fertility Why Mulch?

27. Mulch Problems “Volcano” Mulch Method…. Over-Mulching • Stops free air exchange, suffocating roots. • Blocks penetration of water / fertilizer • Causes stem rot • New roots may grow into mulch elevating the root system. • Creates a “rodent haven.” …more than 2 feet high!

30. Pith of the Stem Girdling Root

36. Planting practices and procedures • One of the most important cultural practices • Determines the success or failure • Requires great care and special attention

37. NEUTRAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 0 14 Nitrogen Phos. Potassium (K) Iron (Fe) Soil Chemistry: pH

39. pH Balancing Materials Lime • Hydrated • Dolomite Gypsum Sulfur • Aluminum sulfate • Iron sulfate • Flowers of sulfur

45. Soil Test Results: Ideal Values pH Phosphorus P lb/A* Potassium K lb/A* Calcium Ca lb/A* Base Saturation Magnesium Mg lb/A* Cation ExchangeCapacity (CEC) meq/100g % Ca % Mg % K 7 – 10 or higher 5.5 – 6.5 50 – 100 800 plus 150 – 250 40 % - 80% 10% - 40% 3% - 5% 250 – 400 Soil Chemistry: Soil Test * To convert lb/A (pounds per acre) to ppm (parts per million), divide by 2: 100 lb/A = 50 ppm

46. Why Soil Test? Most common question: “how much fertilizer do I need to use?” • Answer: “how should I know?” • What if your physician told you to take iron tablets…without a blood test? • The only way you can learn the answer is to have the blood tested… • …have soil tested