General Info

Fall is for planting. Often heard, but more often overlooked. Planting hardy trees and shrubs in the fall of the year can allow the plants to form a good root system before they have to contend with the heat and humidity of our summers. If you had to pick the best time to plant a tree in Arkansas, fall and early winter is it! November is ideal. As the leaves begin to fall, and the trees go dormant, plant away. Plants usually come in one of three forms-container grown, balled in burlap or bare root. Today, more and more plants are being grown in containers, and container plants can be planted twelve months out of the year-provided they are given some care. Yes, even in the midst of a horrid July, you can plant trees and shrubs, but plan to stand next to them with the garden hose. Balled in burlap and bare root plants should be planted while they are dormant. Regardless of what form they come in, planting in the dormant season, (which is beginning) puts less stress on the newly planted plants. There is usually ample natural moisture, which allows the new plants to begin forming roots without much care from us. Do pay attention to the weather and if we go without natural rainfall for several weeks, you will need to water, even when it is cold. Choose your plants wisely. When planting trees, look up. Don't plant under or near power lines. Give the tree ample room to form its natural shape and canopy. Today, many power lines and cables are being put underground. Know where these lines run before you begin digging. Consider the width of a mature tree as well. Normally we don't want to plant a shade tree any closer than fifteen feet from the foundation of the building. Choose plants that take the conditions you have. If you have a moist boggy soil, go with plants that like moisture. Likewise don't put something that likes water, such as a River Birch in a dry, rocky site. Working within the parameters you have, make life a lot easier on you and the tree. There are many misconceptions about planting trees or the way a trees root system grows. Some people claim that the trees root system, mirrors their top growth. Not true. Most plants have the majority of their root system in the top six to twelve inches of the soil-even trees. The entire root systems of most trees can be found within three feet of soil. The spread of the root system however, can be very extensive, often extending 2-3 times the spread of the crown. When planting a new tree, digging holes to China isn't helping anyone-except perhaps the chiropractor. If possible, dig a hole a minimum of three times as wide as the plants root ball, but only as deep as the root ball is. Don't replace the existing soil. Many gardeners throw away the rocky, poor soil, and backfill with potting soil or other rich amendment. That is not going to help the plant at all. Instead, i