Plant Selection and Installation

Describe the factors involved in selecting appropriate landscape plants.

Explain the general guidelines for purchasing healthy landscape plants.

Compare and contrast the planting procedures for balled-and-burlapped vs. container-grown plants.

Diagram how to stake a newly planted tree.

Learning Objectives

Trees◦Size

Large (>45 ft.) Medium (30-45 ft.) Small (10-30 ft.)

Shade Rooting characteristics

◦Invasive◦Surface roots

Shrubs

Choosing Trees and Shrubs

Small-space trees Amur maple Japanese maple Eastern redbud Kousa dogwood Kwanzan cherry Japanese tree lilac

Plant Selection

Trees with invasive roots: Silver maple Willow Poplar Alder Sweet gum

Tree Roots

Local garden centers ◦ Sell plants grown by wholesale nurseries

Retail nurseries ◦ Grow some of the plants they sell, and may offer

landscape design and installation services

Mail-order catalogs ◦ May offer plants not available locally

Sources of Landscape Plants

Tree health Tree size Tree type

Select Healthy Stock

Root system, root ball, or container spread should be 10 to 12 inches for every inch of stem diameter.

Inexpensive and light weight

Best when young Should have a caliper of <2

inches Plant when dormant before

buds begin to swell Soak roots in water for up to

24 hours before planting.

Tree Type: Bare-Root

Both fine and coarse roots are included ◦ Less transplant shock

Handle root ball gently to avoid disturbing root contact with soil

Watch for buried root collars:◦ Avoid buying trees with

more than 4 inches of soil over the root collar.

Tree Type: Balled-and-Burlapped

Round pots can cause circling roots ◦ cut or straighten at time of

planting.

Should be well rooted but not root-bound.

Avoid trees grown bare-root but recently potted for sale.

Tree Type: Containerized

Root Bound

Keep trees and shrubs shaded, cool, and moist before planting.

Remove all labels/wires from the stem.

Point tops of plants away from afternoon sun if they must be stored in the open.

Pre-Planting Care

Tree Roots Grow Laterally

Remove wire baskets, pots, etc. Cut away the burlap from top and sides of

root ball

Planting Depth

What NOT To Do…

Bare-root trees need staking to anchor.

Staking should allow for trunk flexing in the wind.

Trees allowed to move with the wind develop reaction wood.

Remove after 1-2 seasons.

Staking New Trees

Deep, thorough watering is key. Sprinkler systems for lawn offer only

shallow watering. Place a hose at the tree base for 15

minutes. Mulch around the base to prevent

evaporation.

Irrigating New Trees

Plant shallow using backfill soil mounded to cover root system

Install subsurface tile drains to carry water away from roots

Dealing with Poor Drainage

The most important aspect of landscape tree selection is tree ______________.

A common problem with balled-and-burlapped trees is buried root __________.

Bare-root trees should be planted in which season?

The planting hole should be _________ times ___________ than the root ball.

T or F –All newly planted trees should be staked.

Review Questions