Tree Planting Myths

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

The process of planting trees in the garden must be approached very responsibly, because the further fate of the tree, its health and productivity will depend on how correctly you do it. Surely every gardener has his own tricks in this matter, but there are also many myths and misconceptions that are useful to learn about

1st myth: Immediately before planting in trees, it is imperative to prune some living branches.

This is often explained by the fact that the crown is always in balance with the root ball. In fact, drastic pruning is not worth doing. Living branches contain a reserve of energy in the form of oil or starch. Removing them will reduce energy reserves. Before planting, you can only get rid of wounded and dead branches.

2nd myth. Planting deeper helps to develop stronger roots.

There is no need to plant trees or any other plants deeper than the level of the upper root ball. It is the wrong planting that is the main cause of the death of tree crops. If such plants do not die immediately, then they will certainly have a depressed appearance and develop poorly. Often, gardeners take this condition for soil starvation and intensively begin to water and feed the tree. But the plant is already doomed, because its bark is heavily underpinned. It is very important to notice the error in time and transplant it. But in no case should you dig up the soil from the trunk, then a funnel will form in which moisture will stagnate, and the bark will begin to die off again.

3rd myth. Trees after planting need to be fenced with stakes.

In fact, the plants will be much stronger if these same stakes are not put. If the landing site is windy, then you can leave the peg for 6-12 months, and then remove it.

4th myth. A very thick layer of mulch is ideal for young trees.

This is wrong. In this case, the roots will grow very deeply into the mulch. On hot days, it will begin to dry out, and the root system simply cannot get the water necessary for the normal life of the tree. The mulch layer should not be overly dense.

5th myth. The tree grows continuously all year round, from bud formation to foliage falling.

Not really. About 90% of tree growth occurs only in the first weeks after the formation of leaves on them. In the spring, a lot of pests or diseases appear, which, accordingly, will negatively affect the growth of the tree. Therefore, they need to be dealt with in a timely manner.

6th myth. Ants contribute to the decay of the tree.

Ants, of course, can build their homes on trees, but they do not feed on wood. She is simply adored by termites, which never settle on the trunks of woody plants. In fact, ants are very useful insects that help to avoid the death of a tree, because they keep their homes in perfect order.

7th myth. The wounds on the trunks can be easily healed.

It is almost impossible to heal damaged wood tissue. But on the other hand, it is quite possible to protect the damaged areas from healthy ones with the help of special tools such as garden varnish.

8th myth. Very vigorous watering is beneficial for newly planted trees.

This is the main mistake of inexperienced gardeners. In fact, over-intensive watering is a common cause of disease and death of tree crops. You should not flood the plants even on the hottest day, because this, most likely, will lead to rotting of the root system.

9th myth. Wounds and cuts can be treated with paint.

The paint covering the wood does nothing to heal. But at the same time, it often causes rot, due to the compaction of moisture in the trunk. Moreover, it usually contains harmful chemicals. So it is still not worth painting the cuts and wounds of the plant.

10th myth. The tree should be planted in a "clay talker".

This advice can be found in many gardening books. Some experts recommend dipping tree roots in a slurry of clay just before planting. But in reality, this step is absolutely pointless. Moreover, if the root system has been in such a chatterbox, then in any case a dense solid layer will form on it, which will greatly interfere with the work of the roots until it becomes limp in wet soil. Clay talker is believed to help the soil adhere better to the roots. But in fact, it adheres so well, you just have to moisten these very roots with water and then sprinkle them with earth.

11th myth. It is necessary to prepare the planting holes in a few months or directly on the day of planting.

Neither one nor the other need to be done. If you dig a hole long before planting, then the soil in winter will simply move away from the walls and the roots will freeze badly. If you do this on the day of planting, then the soil will most likely begin to settle and thus the root collar of the seedling will be ruined. Such trees will be weak and unprotected from pests and numerous diseases.