It’s a great day to plant a tree

Trees are beneficial to communities in so many ways. A community with trees enjoys better health and mental health of its members, cooler temperatures, energy conservation, increased property values, community vitality, improved safety and increased wildlife habitat to name just a few. Unfortunately, Nebraska’s tree canopy has been steadily decreasing in recent years. Community members are encouraged to consider adding a tree to their own yard, and contributing to this important community feature.

Cool weather is optimal for tree planting, so early spring and fall are the best times to undertake this activity, to avoid stressing the tree with extreme temperatures. Arbor Day, originating in Nebraska, and celebrated throughout most of the United States, is the last Friday in April, and represents an ideal time to add a tree to the landscape.

Planting event

Traditionally, the Grant Tree Board has collaborated with Perkins County fourth graders to add two trees to public space on or near Arbor Day. This year’s event will take place Tuesday, April 28, 10 a.m., when a Streetspire oak and a columnar oak will be added to the Grant City Park. A Nebraska Forest Service forester will be in attendance to demonstrate proper planting techniques. The community is invited and encouraged to attend.

Tree planting tips

There are a lot of things to consider when planting a tree in your yard, starting with tree selection. If purchasing a nursery tree, make sure the roots appear healthy, fibrous and spreading outward. The tree should have leaf or branch growth on the lower part of the trunk. Consider the site that the tree will occupy and select an appropriately sized species. For example, if the tree will be near a building, will it outgrow its space eventually? Other things to consider are site conditions such as the soil, slope, sun exposure, adjacent land use and maintenance and manageability issues.

After selecting an appropriate site, choosing good quality stock, and calling 811 to determine underground utilities, make sure to follow proper planting practices: dig a saucer-shaped hole two to three times wider, and no deeper than the tree’s root ball. If there are circling, or girdling roots, straighten them so they are heading outward. The tree’s uppermost lateral root (approximately pencil-width in size or larger) should be just at the soil’s surface. When the tree is positioned in the hole, backfill with loose soil, firm gently, but don’t compress too vigorously; water, mulch and stake the tree with cloth ties to avoid trunk damage. Most tree issues occur below the ground, so it is essential to get the tree off to a good start at planting time, specifically, planting at the correct depth and fixing circling roots that have occurred by the tree’s being pot-bound.

For more detailed information, an approximately 15-minute video entitled “Let’s Plant a Tree” which gives a tree planting tutorial, can be found on PlantNebraska’s Facebook page.