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THE HERALD Wednesday May 15 Page IT Garden Councils six steps for tree growth Horticulturists have been recommending a slightly varied method of planting trees for the lost several years But un fortunately old traditions and old professional recommenda tions die slowly The Canadian Garden Council says that often the old fashioned planting techni ques hinder a home gardeners lovingly planted trees ability to live a long life Traditionally gardeners dig a deep hole sur round the trees root ball or bare roots with fresh new bagged soil or cattle manure peat moss etc and then tightly pack it all down Initially there usually is good root growth as the young roots grow into the new soil and ad ditives But once the roots reach the hard packed original soil this outward growth stops Instead of spreading into the surrounding garden the tree roots encircle the planting pit like the roots of a potted plant in a clay or plastic pot This then stifles growth of the tree An additional problem with this older method is what may be termed the bath tub effect By digging a large hole in heavy clay soil and filling that hole with loose topsoil and additives such as peat moss it can often become a type of French drain le the place to which the excess surface water drams during spring runoff or heavy rain storms in the sum mer If this happens the tree could literally be sitting in a filled bath tub of water which will cause its demise in just a year or two Most trees with the excep tion of willows poplars and to a degree cedars can not tolerate their roots sitting in water for days at a time The roots need air just as much as they need water The Canadian Garden Council recommends a six step strategy for ensuring stronger healthier and longer lived trees planted not only by homeowners but also by professional landscapers parks departments and other in stitutional green space managers 1 Choose only the best quality trees purchased from a reliable supplier who will still be there if you have any problems 2 Plant trees on your property where they will have sufficient room for both their roots and branches to grow without in terference with the house other structures or services such as overhead wires or sewer pipes 3 For each tree prepare a shallow planting area just about cm 12 in deep and five times the diameter of the soil ball or spread of the bare roots by spading the entire area and ad ding small amounts of Canadian sphagnum peat moss cattle manure or other soil amendment including home compost This preparation is not a hole but rather like preparing a garden bed for planting or annual flowers or vegetable transplants A Now dig a hole in the middle of this prepared area and set the soil ball or spread out the bare roots in the hole It is most impor tant that the top of the soil ball be exactly even with or perhaps slightly above the level of the soil For burlapped soil balls once the tree is set the tied burlap should be cut so that it may be folded back down the sides of the ball For trees in paper fibre pots make at least three cuts halfway up the sides of the pot There is no need lo remove the pot not the bottom The paper fibre I rot readily For trees in pots these must be carefully removed with soil as moist as possible so it will hold together If bare root trees or shrubs are being planted you will note an in or slight different in color on stem or trunk of plant where Ihe emerged from Ihe ground when growing in thi nursery This level should also be at the level of the ground or above when your plan ling operation is complete Ob viously all roots emerging from the mam stem should be in the soil Lightly Ihe soil in place around the tree Do not pack the soil down hard with your feet Use water to remove the air pockets in the soil If these air pockets are not removed they may casue the roots to dry out no moist soil In contact with them and alsow ill definitely be the cause of the soil around the tree or shrub sinking 6 If the tree is unable to land anticipated winds then pro vide a strong stake out at least 20 cm inc from the trunk and attach the tree to the stake with flexible plastic rubber inner tube or cloth ties that will not cause damage to the trunk or stem as it grows in diameter Remove the stake and ties 6 to 9 months after planting A mulch of pine or cedar bark applied to the original prepared area will also help preserve soil moisture con tent but it should not touch the tree trunk This method of planting pro vldes your tree or trees and shrubs with an enlarged area for the roots to grow before en countering the original hard packed soil Most Important the trees roots do not get accustom ed to an ideal planting soil in a confined area and then en counter the much more difficult- original clay soil Home gardeners before they plant their trees should first con sider the ways trees can improve the microclimate around their house Planting trees on the southeast or southwest side of the home will reduce air 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