PLANTING

WHY PLANT A TREE?

Planting trees is a sustainable way to positively affect the environment:
  • Trees Improve air quality by producing oxygen.
  • Trees moderate the effects of sun and wind.
  • Trees clean the air by trapping dust, pollen and others.
  • Trees provide food for wildlife.
  • Trees increase property value
  • Trees generate jobs.
  • Trees contribute raw materials for buildings, books…
  • Trees make people happy

HOW TO PLANT A TREE?

Planting a tree involves more than digging a hole and tossing in young trees bought on sale!
This guideline covers general tree planting and will yield the best results if followed under supervision of a professional arborist:
  • The first step is to get advice on which species are right to plant in your area and consider the future space the tree will need.
  • Digg a square hole no deeper than the root ball.
  • Fill the empty hole with water and check the drainage (if it takes more than one day to drain, select another site)
  • Prune the tree: Remove only dead, broken and diseased branches.
  • Set the tree in the hole (always handle by the container or root ball)
  • Remove all foreign materials from the root ball (wires, cords…)
  • Fill the hole with the same soil that came out of the hole. ( do not add soil amendments)
  • Stake the tree only if necessary (consult a professional arborist for this)
  • Water the tree for at least the first two years (it requires six to eight gallons of water for every diameter inch of trunk per week)
  • Do not fertilize the tree during the first growing season
tree8 (2)

PRUNING

WHY PRUNE YOUR TREES?

Pruning is essential to ensure your trees have a long and healthy life, but using correct technique and timing is really important to get the best results:

YES:
  • Ask your arborist if they prune according to the American National Standards Institute “ANSI A300”
  • Poor pruning can cause damage
  • Assess your trees after a storm to see if pruning is needed
NO:
  • Prune without reason
  • Remove more than 25% of foliage during a growing season
  • Prune a tree for the first year
  • Climb the tree with climbing spikes
  • Strip out inner foliage and branches

SOIL & ROOTS


Trees use their roots to draw nutrients from the surrounding soil:

  • Test PH levels prior to planting
  • Use appropriate fertilizer
  • Revitalize your roots
  • Water them frequently
  • Perform regular checkups
  • Apply a layer of much over tree roots
  • Select high quality trees
  • Avoid planting near concrete
Common soil defects:

  • Nutrient deficiencies
  • Poor drainage
  • Lack of organic matter

DISEASES AND PESTS

Diseases are common plant problems in the landscape, before to take any action you will need a good diagnosis to apply a correct treatment. Ask to a professional Arborist!
Some of most virulent tree diseases:
Tree Wilt

Oak Wilt

Anthracnose1

Anthracnose

Sooty Mold

Sooty Mold

Phytophthora root

Phytophthora root

DAMAGE & PREVENTION

Trees are wonderful for our landscapes, but sometimes bad weather can turn trees in dangerous liabilities.
STORM DAMAGE: If you see any of the following warning signs, they may be at risk:

  • Heaving Soil at the tree base
  • Decayed areas on the trunk
  • Mushrooms growing from the bark
  • Wires in contact with the branches
The treatment of storm-damaged trees requires prompt action and wise assessment, please call your arborist to inspect them!
New York City Approved Street Trees