Spring is Still Tree Planting Season

Any time from November to April is a good time to plant trees in western Oregon. It doesn't matter if the tree is potted, balled in burlap or bare root. Planting in the late fall, or winter when the tree is dormant lessens the shock to the plant. If you wait until late April or May to plant trees in Douglas County the tree will not have time to get roots established before the onset of warm weather. If your tree gets in the ground during winter, roots will be able to make a small start at getting established before the plant leafs out and starts making demands for water and nutrients. Remember to keep plenty of water coming to the new trees during the dry season for the first two to three years. After that most trees can manage fine with just an occasional deep soak. With such a warm dry winter in 2005 any tree planting and shrub moving that you need to do in your landscape should be done by April 1, especially if you do not have a lot of water to keep plants happy this summer. We seem to be heading toward a long dry season so don't move plants late and expect them to do well on their own.

What may be even more important than the proper season to plant is the proper choice of tree for the location. As when buying a home just keep repeating, location, location, location. If you want your tree to be trouble free, have a long healthy life, not cause any damage to your property and not require a lot of attention, start by planting it in the right place. .

Taking a good look at the planting site is step number one. Think clearly about why you want to plant a tree in that spot. Do you want shade for the summer or for the whole year. If you want shade for the whole year plant a conifer. If you want shade just for summer plant a deciduous tree that will lose its leaves during winter. Remember a constantly shaded area in western Oregon will encourage moss and lichen growth while the winter sun can help warm and cheer a house right through a maple tree. Do you need privacy from a commercial business or a busy street, plant a nice cedar or a spruce. Remember to take a look up before you plant. If there are power lines overhead look up the mature height of the tree you are planning to plant. There are dozens of nice trees that can be planted under power lines that will never grow higher than 20-25 feet. Many of the short trees have special qualities like beautiful blooms, lovely bark colors and textures, and spreading habits. Japanese maple, dogwood, crabapple, goldenrain, and eastern redbud are only some of the great choices for short trees. If you think the site is poorly drained look up trees that can tolerate wet soils. If the site is at a rental property and may not get watered much after getting established plant a native species that can take a dry summer. There are a variety of native trees both conifer and deciduous that can take a dry spell starting with our local vine maple or big leaf maple, Oregon white oak or even a Ponderosa Pine.

One of the most common ways to injure a tree is to plant it right in the lawn and then let grass grow right up to the trunk. Nearly every time someone mows they will hit the trunk and leave a small injury. Just place a ring of mulch around the tree about 3 inches deep and one foot wide to prevent mower damage. Your tree will thank you for locating it well by giving you years of trouble free shade, beauty, wild life habitat and privacy.