Written by: Crocus Head Gardener Ashley Edwards
The saying goes: ‘"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now". There’s an instant satisfaction in planting a tree. It feels like an act of hope, looking toward the future and providing greenery for the next generation.
Tree planting can happen anytime from October & April as long as the ground isn't waterlogged or frozen. This will allow the roots to establish before the tree comes into leaf in spring.
When planting your tree, choose an appropriate site for your species. There are trees to suit all aspects, from full sun to shade and chalky soils to clay. Make sure to take in eventual height and spread and avoid planting too close to buildings, especially if you have clay soil. You may want to get advice from a surveyor if you are planning to plant near trees close to your house.
When it comes to planting your tree, there are important steps you should follow to ensure the best success:
Dig a square hole the same depth as the tree rootball but three times the width. A square hole is preferred to a round one as it prevents the roots from spiralling and becoming root bound. If you have very heavy soil, it may be necessary to loosen the surrounding earth with a fork.
Soak the roots of your tree prior to planting. Carefully tease out the roots to encourage them to branch out once planted.
Position your tree central in the planting hole. It’s important to get the planting depth right, so use a bamboo cane or the shaft of your spade to make sure the root flare is at the surface of the soil.
Once your tree is in position, start infilling the planting hole with the soil you have removed. Use your heel to firm the tree in, making sure there are no air pockets. If you live in an area with rabbits or deer, you may want to add a tree guard to protect it.
Give your tree a good soak. Allow the water to puddle and drain away so that the tree is thoroughly watered. It's really important to continue to water your tree until it is established, this can take 3-5 years. A tree bag can be wrapped around your tree and filled every week to help with this through the spring and summer months. Lack of water is often the main cause of newly transplanted trees dying.
Add a tree stake at a 45 degree angle and use a soft tree tie to secure your tree. You want your tree to have some movement to encourage it to strengthen against winds and settle its roots securely.
Finally, add a layer of organic compost or bark chips as a mulch to retain moisture and prevent weeds. Ensure that a gap is left between the tree trunk and the mulch to avoid rotting.
One of my favourite groups of trees are the Japanese maples. Their graceful arching stems provide structure in the garden and suit a variety of styles, from contemporary to tropical planting. Many species can be used in containers due to their slow growing habit. I've had a few in pots for 10+ years now and they are still thriving. You also get interest throughout the year. The emerging foliage in spring is often brightly coloured, in summer attractive winged seed pods are produced, known as samaras. With autumn comes dramatic colour changes in the foliage and in winter you have the silhouette of the tree along with striped bark in many species.
If you're tempted to plant an Acer, here are a few species to consider for your own space:
Acer Griseum
A slow growing tree of medium size (eventually reaching 10-12m over 50 years), best planted in the ground. The leaves of this tree are lobed and turn fiery red and orange in autumn. As the tree matures it develops peeling bark which lends it its common name and provides winter interest.
Acer palmatum Dissectum
These japanese maples are well suited to containers and are the classic choice for the japanese style garden. They like an acid to neutral soil and protection from strong winds or full sun to avoid leaf scorch. In spring they have fresh green foliage, samaras in summer and the foliage turns yellow, orange and red in autumn.
Acer palmatum ‘Taylor’
An attractive new cultivar, with lime green and cream foliage, which emerges in spring with a vivid salmon pink hue. As the leaves mature the pink fades but the variegation remains attractive throughout the summer. In autumn, the leaf colour changes again, turning lime green before they drop. Underplant with bulbs for extra interest in spring.
Planting a tree in a garden adds height, shade, seasonal interest, colour and wildlife to your space. There are many wellbeing benefits of being amongst trees, and research has proven that it can lower stress levels and blood pressure. So adding a tree doesn't just benefit the environment, but you too!
