Planting

Proper planting will help ensure the health and survival of your new tree.

Where to Plant

When determining your planting location, consider location of overhead and underground utility lines, size and shape the tree will be at maturity, size of planting space, and purpose of planting. For trees in parkways (the city right-of-way between the sidewalk and the street), Salida’s city codes lay out spacing for tree planting (small trees should be 20 feet apart, medium trees 30 feet, and large trees 40 feet apart), as well as distance from curbs, corners, fire hydrants, and utility wires. See section 7-2-3, or call the City Clerk’s Office for specifics.

When to Plant

Early spring, after the frost leaves the ground is the best time for tree planting. In Salida, this is usually by April 15th. Trees can be planted throughout the summer. Autumn plantings are acceptable if accomplished at least six weeks before the ground freezes.

Buying a Tree

Choose a tree with good form. The tree should have one main stem. Branches should come off the trunk at a 45-90 degree angle. Branches should be well spaced around the tree and not rubbing against each other. Avoid trees with crushed or circling roots, trees with wounds, or incorrect pruning.

How to Plant

Dig a shallow, broad planting hole. The hole can be three times the diameter of the root ball, but no deeper than the root ball. The wide planting hole gives you more room to work in, and allows the new roots to establish more quickly. The majority of roots on a newly planted tree will develop in the top 12-inches of soil. When necessary, amend the soil in which the tree will be planted by mixing in organic material such as coarse peat, compost, or aged manure (but not fresh manure). The organic material should not exceed 20% of the soil volume. Leave all but the very large rocks (softball size), since rock is part of the natural soil composition. The root collar of the tree, a slight bulge above the roots, should be level with the ground surface when the tree is placed in the planting hole. Balled and burlapped tree: The key to success is keeping the soil intact. The root ball should be moist when planting. To avoid loosening the soil around the roots and jeopardizing the survival of the tree, handle the tree by the basket, not the tree trunk. Do not lean on the root ball while removing twine, or burlap, and keep the water stream off the root ball.

Position the tree in the hole using the basket to handle the tree rather than the tree trunk. Once in the hole, shim with soil where needed to make sure the trunk is straight and root collar level with the ground. Once in place, cut the twine at the base of the tree trunk. With wire cutters, cut the top two-thirds of rungs on the wire basket on opposite sides of the ball. Fill the hole half way with prepared soil. With the soil supporting the root ball, slowly work the two cut halves of the wire basket off the tree. Water slowly to settle the soil in the planting hole. Keep the water stream off the root ball, and stop applying the water when it begins to pool to avoid a moat. If the root ball is firm, loosen and remove the burlap to the settled soil level being careful to keep the planterís weight off the root ball and wet soil. Add additional soil to the hole until it is level with the top of the root ball. If the soil is crumbly, add additional soil first, then only remove the burlap around the tree trunk and top of root ball. Do not tamp wet soil.

Build a watering basin the width of the hole around the tree utilizing leftover soil and rock. Fill the watering basin with water twice. Fill depressions from soil settlement with additional soil. Spread mulch over the bare soil, but not against the tree trunk.

Containerized tree (not field potted): Carefully cut the container away from the tree. If roots are circling the soil, make vertical cuts on four sides just deep enough to cut the net of roots. Cris-cross cut the bottom about one-fourth the depth of the soil.

Follow the planting directions above for a balled and burlapped tree using water to settle the soil at the halfway point, and after completing the planting.