13 Apr

If you are ready to care and plant your native trees in Austin, Texas, and are ready to move forward in creating a sustainable landscape, then read on for a few helpful tips and advice to help you do so.

Planting Your Tree

After you have selected the type of native tree you want to plant and have found the ideal location, you should next consider the size the tree will grow to when it matures as well as the soil and moisture requirements for the tree.

When planting the tree, it is recommended that you allow plenty of room for the tree to mature. This means you should mark out a defined planting area that is up to five times wider than the diameter of the trees root ball.

While digging the hole, make sure it is deep enough and at least two to three times the diameter of the roots again. The sides of the hole should not be smoothed out and instead should remain rough and uneven, so it is loose enough to allow the roots to continue to grow.

Next, you can carefully place the tree into the center of the hole and adjust the tree to ensure that it is standing up straight and not leaning. Take a few steps back before filling the hole to make sure that the depth is sufficient, and the tree is secured in the center.

Finally, fill in the hole with the original soil that was taken out when you were digging the hole. It is advised that you do not add any kind of compost, fertilizer, or other material to the soil.

Fill the hole until you can see that it is half full of the original soil and add water to the hole. You will continue to repeat this same process with the soil and water until the hole is completely full.

You will also want to construct a dam around the tree around three feet in diameter to help hold the excess water until it has been given a chance to sufficiently absorb into the soil.

To finish off the planting process, you can use mulch to cover the soil around the tree, and this will help prevent any water loss or weed growth around the newly planted tree.

How to Care for Your Planted Tree

After you have planted your tree, it is important to maintain a schedule of care and maintenance to ensure that the tree thrives in the conditions it is in. Again, there is no need to add any fertilizer to the soil at any point because it may do damage to the newly planted tree.

• Water the tree regularly-the tree will require at least one inch of water per week for the entire first two years after planting. When watering the tree, pay attention to how much water you are using to avoid drowning the roots and soil.
• Add mulch around the tree-maintaining a good layer of mulch throughout the year will help provide much-needed nutrients to the tree and will help keep the soil moist and cool.
• While watering, carefully check the tree for any signs of sickness or disease or other problems including insects and dead limbs.
• Prune the trees when needed- remove branches that extend too far out, remove dead branches and limbs that have begun to turn inward. For a young tree, you will also want to shorten the lower branches to help encourage trunk development.

Moving Forward

Following these tips will take a young native tree you had just planted to its mature and regal state in the yard. Care and maintenance are essential to its growth and you will be surprised at how well the tree will respond to a little extra care and attention.

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