Hello fellow readers,
Jill from Nazareth is confused. She heard that fall is a great time to plant but then found out that there is a list of Fall Dig Hazard trees. That does seem confusing! Paul of Gardens of the World in Andover has a simple way to explain it. The Fall Dig Hazard lists are plants that should not be dug out of the ground by growers in the fall and transplanted as they will have reduced survival rates. But if the plants on the Fall Dig Hazard list were dug earlier in the season, most will do well if planted in the fall.
So, Jill, there is no correlation between Fall Dig Hazard trees and those not ideal for planting in the fall unless the grower is fibbing about when they are digging. Trees and shrubs planted in the fall are better equipped to deal with heat and drought the following season as fall weather conditions are perfect for stimulating root growth. On top of which soil stays warm well after temperatures cool which further encourages root growth. Not many folks know that roots even remain active during winter months -developing and storing nutrients for next season’s growth.
A Big Boy Maple!
September through November is an ideal time for planting in our area. Some tree species recommended for fall planting include Spruce, Pine, Sycamore, Maple, Buckeye, Horse Chestnut, Alder, Catalpa, Hackberry, Hawthorn, Ash, Honey Locust, Crabapple, Linden and Elm. Paul suggests staying clear of Zelkova, Crape Myrtle, and Leyland Cypress in the fall. If you plant broad-leaved evergreens such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Boxwoods, and Hollies, I suggest protecting them from winter winds by spraying an anti-transpirant such as Wilt-pruf in late November.
The most important tip is to buy your plants from a trustworthy nursery that are fussy about the care of their plants all season long. Choose a source that will help guide you on plant selections best for your site conditions. One more tip – I believe the more substantial the root ball, the easier it will be for the plant to adapt to its new home. So go for the gusto as long as you can lift it out of your vehicle when you get it home. I have two thriving Japanese Maples that were stuck in my truck for two days after adoption day that taught me that lesson. Thank God for strong friends and good roots!
Garden dilemmas? askmarystone@gmail.com
Tree Tidbits: Did you know well-maintained trees and shrubs can increase property values by up to 14%? Trees properly placed can reduce air conditioning needs by 30%. And, a single tree produces approximately 260 pounds of oxygen per year. That means two mature trees can supply enough oxygen annually to support a family of four!*
*Source: Save-a-Tree See more at http://www.savatree.com/tree-facts.html#sthash.UdUYJwsj.dpuf
