We can never have enough trees!
We've all heard the many reasons and benefits of trees. But it's always worth being reminded of their value, especially in these times of difficult climate change.
TREES:
- eat greenhouse gases that cause climate change.
- boost our mental and physical health.
- clean the air so we can breathe more easily.
- create the valuable home for sustaining wildlife.
- cool down life around us absorbing dangerous heat.
- filter our water making it safe to drink.
- create and support biodiversity on our fragile planet
So, it's not a question of if we should care for and plant more trees, but when we should plant them.
Spring always seems to steal the spotlight when it comes to gardening and landscaping. But let's put the spotlight squarely where it belongs when it comes to planting trees: The Fall.
While it may seem counter-intuitive to plant going into the colder months, doing so with trees has a host of benefits that will allow your trees to thrive well into the future.
What are the Benefits of Planting in the Fall?
- Planting in the fall allows trees to better prepare for the stress of summer. The combination of cool autumn temperatures and , (hopefully) rainfall, helps to quickly establish their root systems, making it easier for them to withstand extreme heat or drought which we know will be coming in June.
- Many folks avoid planting in the fall because they believe their new trees won't survive even mild winter conditions.
- Trees are designed to survive these conditions aby going dormant when exposed to freezing temperatures.
This hibernation state slows down their growth, energy consumption and metabolism, making them amazingly resilient to chilly weather.
When Does Fall Begin and End?
Fall officially begins September 22nd and ends on December 21st, (Winter Solstice).
This lines up with most nurseries' shipping schedules, as even in mid to late December, the ground is still soft enough to dig in and plant.
What Are The Fall Planting Guidelines?
- Trees can be planted until the ground is too solid. Generally, if you can dig your spade into the soil, you're on for planting and have them successfully grow.
- To make things easier, it's recommended to pre-dig your holes before your trees arrive and store the soil in a garage of shed to prevent it from hardening.
- Though you might be tempted to plant your new trees in pots, the general advise is against this. If in cold enough areas, the soil in the pot can freeze.
Most importantly, planting them in a restricted space of a pot hinders your trees ability of getting enough oxygen.
What do you do After Planting Your Tree?
- As soon as your tree is cozy in its new hole, be sure to mulch and water it right after planting--even if it's cold outside.
- Remember: Mulch is important for retaining moisture and it plays a particularly important role in the fall. If the soil around your tree—especially if there is a frost or freeze. This can cause the tree to heave out of the ground.
Where Can We Find Trees to Plant?
There are many resources available for purchasing healthy trees.
It is important to find a trusted nursery that carries viable, hardy, zone appropriate stock.
Go online in your community to search for a reputable nursery.
Another option is to check out catalogs which will ship trees to you.
One of my favorite sources is The Arbor Day Foundation. You can find them online.
They have wonderful, healthy trees—and each time you purchase a tree from the Arbor Foundation, you're contributing to a very important non-profit organization.
Their newest goal: To plant 1 million trees in our national forests in the next five years!
500 MILLION TREES in the NEXT FIVE YEARS!
Let's plant more trees.