Support is the basis
A solid fixation of the planted tree will help the plant to grow straight and avoid possible disturbance of its stability.Movements of the root ball are dangerous to the newest, smallest roots and may disturb or even interrupt the process of fusion of the tree with the substrate.
1. We start digging a hole for a tree after arranging the necessary tools and materials nearby. The diameter of the trench should be twice the diameter of the root ball. The bottom of the well should be carefully loosened.
2. Use a wooden slat to control the proper planting depth.Ideally, the top surface of the root ball should be on the same level as the surrounding surface.We fill the empty space with soil and tamp it.
3. At the same distance from the trunk, we drive three wooden piles to a depth of about half a meter. They should be placed around the perimeter of the well to avoid damaging the roots.
4. We connect the piles with tightly bolted crossbars stiffening the entire structure.
5. The trunk of the tree is tied to each pile with hemp rope several times in a figure eight, leaving space for two fingers.
6.Use the end of the string to strengthen the horizontal bond, twisting it towards the pile.
7. We fasten the ends of the ropes to the piles with steel hooks so that the ties do not loosen. Finally, water the root ball abundantly.
8. The finished construction made of wooden piles should support the tree for at least two, preferably three years.After that, the plant can cope without support.
Winter protection
Young trees have trunks not yet covered with thick bark, therefore they are particularly susceptible to frost damage. Large fluctuations in temperature between day and night create tensions in the thin tissue of the young bark.The surface of the trunk often cracks, and the consequences of this phenomenon are deadly for the tree. As a precaution, the trunks can be whitened, as well as the trunks of fruit trees.
A good method of protection is also the use of protective mats made of bamboo, reed, wicker, coconut fibers or jute. Such covers do not warm the bark very much.They protect it from being heated by the sun's rays, as well as against the teeth of starved wild animals.
We plan the orchard - the distance between the trees
Compared to most ornamental shrubs and perennials, trees cannot be transplanted too easily from one place to another.Before planting a new tree, you should obtain information about its final height, width, and shape.In a small front garden there is no room even for slender cultivars, such ascolumnar cherry 'Amonagawa', because they should be planted at a considerable distance from the house.
Remember to keep an appropriate distance from the border with the neighbor, in accordance with applicable regulations.The underground part of the tree is also important. Willows, poplars, locust trees and plane trees have shallow roots that can damage surfaces, foundations and underground installations.
Carefully shaped spherical crown
Most trees impress with their natural charm, especially when they can develop freely without our interference.Therefore, one should not approach them with any pruning shears.It is different in the case of trees with spherical crowns. If it grows too much (spherical maple and the same catalpa can reach 5-6 m in diameter), scissors will help restore it to a more modest but nice form. Spherical varieties of willow, ash and robinia tolerate even very hard cutting up to the older, several-year-old parts of the shoots.
Too dense crowns are easy to thin, and the cut enhances their vitality.Forming is done on a frost-free day at the end of winter, before the beginning of vegetation.Large trees with atypical crowns need this procedure to maintain the adopted figure. This is the case with cuboid-shaped linden trees or umbrella-shaped plane trees. The shoots of the latter are tied to horizontal poles and branches that grow vertically are cut off.
Excellent development conditions under the tree crown
The soil around the tree trunk does not provide other plants with very good living conditions.Intolerance is mainly characterized by trees with a shallow, close-to-surface root system, e.g. Norway maple, chestnut and birch.
Under their crowns you can plant perennials that feel good in shaded places with dry ground, e.g. Lithospermum recurrence, Duchesnea wild strawberry, Epimedium evergreen epimedium or Symphytum comfrey.Strong and resilient grass plants and shrubs, such as the shadowy sedge Carex umbrosa, the climbing euonymus fortunei and the Pachysandra, will also cope with more difficult conditions.
Under the crowns of trees with a heart-shaped root system, such as catalpa catalpa, ginkgo, ornamental apple and ornamental cherry, the Chinese 'Pumila', brunner, Waldstein's thirst, various types of geraniums and tiarells can grow.Careful and careful planting and solid watering will provide plants with good conditions for development from the very beginning.
Improving the he alth of diseased specimens
Plants do not always grow as well as we dreamed of. Their development is influenced by site features, weather, contacts with pests, parasites and diseases.The greatest risk of damage is in the case of larger and longer-lived trees.If the damage or shock is very large, e.g.in the photo, it is usually too late to rescue. Such massive cutting wounds should be avoided because they heal badly and take a long time. Before that, putrefactive processes may begin.
The bad development of a tree does not have to be caused by diseases or pests. Improper soil conditions often contribute to the dieback of shoots in the crown.In this case, it is worth asking for help from specialists.
Carefully choose plants!
Tilia platyphyllos broadleaf linden leaves are a delicacy of aphids.Pests produce a sticky slope covering leaves and objects under the crown.Aphids like the silver linden Tilia tomentosa less. It is worth bearing in mind when choosing a tree for your home or garden, especially when you plan to arrange a place to rest under the crown.
Instead of linden, we can plant another species that is not susceptible to attacks by these voracious pests.Field maple 'Elsrijk' has a slender crown, straight trunk and is resistant to mildew.A beautiful tree is the horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum. However, it is often attacked by horse chestnut horse moss. Red horse chestnut Aesculus x carnea is more resistant to this pest.
