Tree Assassin!


© Barbara M. Martin

Truthfully now, are you a tree hugger or a tree assassin?

I sometimes wonder if all the trees planted every spring actually grew to maturity how we'd have room to walk around. Obviously, lots of them are not surviving. It's always such a disappointment and a sadness to see a tree "go" for whatever the reason. And even worse, barring lightning, it's our own stupid well-meaning fault.

For instance, did you know the old way of planting a tree in heavily amended soil isn't recommended any more? Neither is routine staking or pruning or wrapping at planting time! Read all about it in Staking and Other Myths. Shocking, isn't it.

Spring is such a special growing time, tree planting time, and celebration time. Earth Day especially has become a natural occasion for special tree plantings. Help make sure your newly planted tree will still be there ten years from now. Help it avoid the dreaded Tree Decline.

Make sure you know what you're doing. (Use the links in this article to educate yourself.) Otherwise you will have lovingly planted a giant space eating unsightly unwanted weed! Let's hope it thrives and grows to its true potential in proportion and glory.... like the little acorn and the mighty oak.

So. Be proactive. Do a reality check: Are You What's Wrong With Your Tree? (OUCH.)

Use the links below to research your tree choice and its placement as well as your planting technique ahead of time. Do your best to make sure your tree will survive and bring pleasure for many years to come. Otherwise, it will either die early or become a weed just like any other poorly plant in the wrong place. And we all know what weeds are good for. Yup.

HOW TO PICK & PLANT YOUR TREE RIGHT!

  • Planning Where to Put It

    Tree Placement on Home Grounds (Where to put it in your yard)

    Avoiding Tree and Utility Conflicts (Is that a Euphemism or What!)

    Planting On Your Septic Drainfield (Take Your Chances!)

  • Deciding What to Plant

    Choosing the Ideal Tree (For You!)

    Tree Selection

    Uncommon Trees for Specimen Planting

    Shade Trees

    Woody Landscape Plants: Selection and Planting

    Before Your Order Tree Seedlings

  • Purchasing

    Buying High Quality Trees

    How to Buy and Plant A Tree

  • Planting

    Tree and Shrub Planting Guidelines

    New Tree Planting

    Planting Techniques for Trees and Shrubs

    Newer Research/Urban & Street Tree Planting

  • Go To Page: 1 2


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    Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages

    17.   Apr 16, 1999 1:14 PM
    I know you have many lovely trees in your gardens -- can you pick just one? LOL

    -- posted by Cottage_Garden


    16.   Apr 15, 1999 10:21 PM
    I do so agree, Barbara. It makes me weep to see a beautiful Birch, planted too close to a fence and the owners take a chain saw and just cut it half way down the trunk.

    In our mass tree planting i ...


    -- posted by Gay_Klok


    15.   Apr 15, 1999 9:46 PM
    is still more an artform than anything. I have seen too many trees started out all wrong lately -- sold without the basic framework for making a nice tree in time and corrective pruning comes too lat ...

    -- posted by Cottage_Garden


    14.   Apr 15, 1999 9:43 PM
    What's your weapon of choice? Locust I have seen grow "like a weed" and lately Bradford-type pears are springing up but how do you have crabapples like that? ...

    -- posted by Cottage_Garden


    13.   Apr 15, 1999 11:16 AM
    I definately fit into the catagory of tree assassin - especially if it is crab apple or locust...

    -- posted by VirginiaFarmBoy





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