Hints for November

There’s nothing like trees for attracting vandals. They (vandals) seem to take great joy in destroying a life which today has such an effect on our lives. Trees amongst others provides that life giving gas, Oxygen, that we all take for granted and yet we spend so little on trees; or when it comes to tree planting. We skimp the essentials that give trees support in the years that they try to establish themselves. Trees are planted then left to get on with it: poor policy that! The folk give themselves a pat on the back for their community good deed which then turns into a disaster! Trees need feeding, pruning and checking to ensure support. Ties should not become loose causing chaffing or too tight, restricting water and food supplies.

You would have thought that the lesson had been learned, but no! We continue to plant small standard trees in public places which are no competition for the elements including the vandals. Trees should be of a heavy standard size (10/12 feet), difficult to pull down and for the wind to snap off. Support is better with two not one stake. Yes, if you have a protected area, say your garden, private grounds or motorway planting then the light standard tree or whips with the short diagonal stake are best. In a public place you are asking for trouble to plant a small tree with the same size stake; an inevitable waste of money and effort!  Better to plant one tree at 50 quid which survives than to dig in half a dozen cheapies! Astute local authorities follow the big tree policy and so should community organisations which maintain the public realm of our parks and open spaces. Nurseries now cater for this type of demand. In fact when the shout went out for the Olympic site down in London the UK nurseries were unable to supply the larger trees and so they went abroad. What a wake-up call!

As trees lose their leaves we hit the bare root planting season. If you can get a tree in a container you can plant any time as long as you ensure the plant is kept watered and fed after planting. Prepare the planting hole with ample, well rotted organic matter. Mix in plenty of bagged compost to give the tree a good start. This tree is going to be here for a long time.

Put in the tree stake first on the windward side of the trunk, so that the tree is not blown against the stake and chaffing occurs. Water the planting hole. If containerised loosen some of the roots without breaking them and spread them out. Ensure the tree is planted at the same depth as it was in the nursery row or pot. Back fill with good soil and firm with the sole of the boot.

Staking keeps the root ball steady in the ground whilst its roots become established and it anchors itself. A continually moving root ball soon dries out. Use a hardwood stake like oak or robinia. Softwood lasts no time at all. Small canes should only be used to fasten tree guards or give trees location in long grass. Saying that with newly planted trees the area around the base should be grass and weed free.

Stakes the length of the trunk were often used but it is more valuable to drive in a stake about one third of the trunk, at an angle. This keeps the root ball steady, allows the trunk to develop strength and encourages root development. One tie is sufficient with a spacer.

Check the tie regularly. Make sure it is not broken. Allow for loosening if it becomes too tight or the stake is broken. An excess staking period produces a weak tree trunk!

Yorkshire Landscape Gardens
dave@daviddmitchell.co.uk