Q&A: Trees

Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-723 -- More Projects »

Q: Paul, you say you don't stake trees, but in one of your shows, didn't I see a staked weeping evergreen tree in your landscape?

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

A: Yes, you did indeed see a staked tree (figure A), a weeping Japanese red pine. Weeping trees are the exception to the rule when it comes to staking trees. If this tree weren't staked for a few seasons, or in this case, a few years, it would simply grow at or slightly above ground level.

So, a short stake was attached to the tree early in life so that the tree trunk (figure B) would grow upright. Then at some point, the trunk will weep (figure C). The point at which a stake is attached is somewhat arbitrary. For example, the stake could have easily been a foot taller or shorter for that matter. I'll leave the stake on the tree for a long time, because it will take years for the tree trunk to grow strong enough to support the weight of the constantly growing and weeping terminal end.

Another weeper is this juniper called "blue lagoon" (figure D). I recently removed the stake because the trunk was strong enough to support the weight of the terminal growth. Of course, if the tree begins to weep too much, even to topple over, I can always add the stake back on at roughly a 45-degree angle. For the next few years, though, I think it will be just fine.

Q: My soil is so heavy and compacted that I can't dig a proper planting hole. Any suggestions?

Figure E

Figure F

A: The solution to your problem, which is fairly common, is fairly simple. Rather than struggling to dig a hole in compacted soil, which is not very healthy for your plants anyway, dig the hole to whatever depth you reasonably can. Then make up the difference by creating a raised bed for the tree (figure E).

That's exactly what I did recently when attempting to plant this weeping Norway spruce (figure F). The soil along the edge of my property is so compacted that I couldn't begin to dig a proper planting hole for this tree's root ball, which by the way measured 3 feet by 3 feet and weighed about 300 pounds. So I dug a hole about 1 1/2 inches deep and put the tree in the hole. Then I created a raised bed with stones, which I backfilled with soil and topped off with a nice thick layer of mulch. And I think it looks better than it would have if I had planted it in a traditional manner with the top of the root ball just slightly above soil level.

Q: I planted two identical trees at the same time about five years ago, but one drops its leaves each fall, weeks before the other. What gives?

A: Ordinarily when two identical trees behave in entirely different ways, the difference is due to exposure. For instance, one tree might get more sunlight than the other. And a difference of only an hour or two of sunlight a day may be enough to cause the conditions you've described.

Figure G

Here for example, are two dogwoods (figure G) of the same variety that were planted at the same time. The one on the right gets more sun than the one on the left and, as you can see, it has dropped nearly all of its leaves. Other factors may come into play as well, such as variations in the soil conditions. And yes, there can be very real differences in the soil within a short distance of only a few feet or so. For instance, the soil in one spot may drain at a substantially different rate than the soil that's just a few feet away. The amount of water that the trees receive can be another factor, especially if you have an automatic sprinkler system that soaks one tree but barely reaches another.

In addition to exposure, soil conditions and amount of water available, genetics dictate most of a tree's growth. So it's entirely possible that the trees you think are identical aren't as identical as you think.

Q: How many trees do you have in your landscape?

A: Wow, I must admit that even I am surprised at the total because, counting trees of all sizes, I have 127 in all. Plus, I have a half-dozen or more growing in pots. It's a veritable forest. I can still see the forest for the trees, but I won't be able to see the lawn for all the leaves!

Also in this Episode

Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-723
•	Seeding Solutions for Troubled Lawns
•	Q&A: Trees
•	Self-Seeding Plants
•	A Non-Traditional Bonsai

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