Trees provide beauty, assist with flood prevention from storm water runoff, control erosion, give off oxygen, save energy, reduce our carbon footprint, and provide food and habitat for wildlife. Trees impact us on personal levels adding financial value to home landscapes and providing a therapeutic boost to our mental wellbeing, as well as visual interest and privacy. Georgia Arbor Day celebrates trees and falls on the third Friday of February, February 18, 2022.
What is the best way to celebrate Arbor Day and the contributions trees provide? By planting a tree, of course! By following a few simple steps, planting a tree should be a successful endeavor for now and the future.
Before planting, collect a soil sample and to determine the PH and fertilizer needs. Next, survey the site. Is the area conducive for good growth? Does water drain well? Is it free of debris, chemical spills, or anything that might inhibit good plant growth?
It is important to purchase good quality plants. Container grown plants can be transplanted with minimal shock and can be planted year-round, though fall and winter months provide best success. They are easy to obtain at local nurseries with a variety of trees to choose from.
An inexpensive alternative to container grown trees are bare root seedlings, like the ones that the National Arbor Day Society offers. Bare root seedlings must be planted in fall, winter, or early spring in Georgia, to help their root systems get established before water demand grows in the hot summer.
For either, dig or till the planting space. If planting several trees in an area, rototill to a depth of 12-15 inches. If planting container grown trees, dig a hole three times as wide and only as deep as the root ball. This allows plant establishment as roots can rapidly grow. Place the tree in the hole with the top of the root ball level with surrounding soil. If roots are growing in a circular manner, tease the roots apart to prevent girdling. If planting a bare root seedling, plant the tree at the same depth it stood in the nursery, with plenty of room for the roots.
Once the tree is placed, backfill with existing soil, tamping down the soil to avoid air pockets. Current research suggests using existing soil only is the best practice. Do not add soil conditioner or other amendments. Water both when planting and a few hours later. Afterwards, trees will need one inch of water per week. No fertilization is recommended in the first year after planting.
Finally, shape a 2-3-inch ring of soil around the planting hole to direct water to the roots. Follow this with a 3-inch layer of mulch to maintain moisture levels and discourage weeds, staying away from the trunk of the tree to avoid disease.
While planting a tree can take a bit of time and effort, the long-term beauty and benefits make it a worthy way to celebrate Arbor Day. Master Gardeners and Keep Paulding Beautiful want to help you celebrate by giving you a free tree seedling. Stop by the Paulding County Extension Office on Georgia Arbor Day, Friday, February 18 between noon and 5 pm and pick up your seedling at 530 West Memorial Drive, Dallas, GA 30132.
The author of this article, Molly Zablan, is a Paulding UGA Extension Master Gardener Extension Volunteer (MGEV). MGEVs are trained to provide education for homeowners on horticulture using unbiased, research-based information from the University of Georgia. For more information, contact Paulding County UGA Extension at 770-443-7616 or visit us at www.ugaextension.org/paulding.
