Trees And Shrubs

FALL PLANTING

The fall of the year is an excellent time for planting nursery stock.  Although during the fall it might seem that plants stop growing or go dormant above the ground, the root system stays quite active through the cold fall and winter months.  Cool temperatures and naturally moist grounds from fall rains give newly planted trees and shrubs a no stressful transition from container to their new home in the ground.    And, of course, being diligent in watering your newly planted nursery stock is important,  just as it is when planted in the spring, if this summer's drought continues.  One can ensure a successful transplanting by watering weekly any and all newly planted shrubbery for the first six months. 

Spring Planting

Spring planting can be just as successful if just a few simple steps are done. 

First purchase live healthy nursery stock that has been raised and grown in a northern climate ( if that is where it will end up being planted ).

 Too many Garden Centers sell southern raised nursery stock that are "fast" raised and not acclimated to northern climates. Genrich's carries only northern raised nursery stock that are acclimated to our climate zone. 

Make sure to stake larger trees to prevent "rocking" then the wind blows, disturbing the root system to ever root in to the new earth.

Water regularly during the growing season to prevent drying out in the hot summer months. 1" of water weekly is needed throughout the growing season for the first year.

 Hint  Always discard half of topsoil from hole dug and replace that amount with peat moss and second half from hole. This mixture of topsoil and peat moss will insure that the newly planted tree or shrub receives ample moisture around the root system and sets new roots into the surrounding earth. See web page Planting a New Tree for detailed instructions.

FALL FERTILIZING

If you choose to fertilize your newly planted tree or shrub in the first six months, use a fertilizer with a low nitrogen count and a higher phosphate count.  5-10-5, a commonly available fertilizer is an example of a low nitrogen fertilizer.  The first "5" in 5-10-5 refers to 5% total nitrogen in the fertilizer.  The "10" refers to 10% phosphorous; the last "5" indicates 5% potash.  The percentages of nitrogen, phosphorous and potash are always represented in this manner as N-P-K; this is a universal designation on all fertilizers.   Using a fertilizer too high in nitrogen is discouraged because it will promote tender new growth that will be killed by a hard frost.  In the fall, it is most important for the plant to develop new roots and not important to increase in leaf and stem development.  Nitrogen fertilizer promotes leaf and stem development whereas phosphate in a fertilizer promotes root development.  Bone meal is an excellent fertilizer to be used in the fall of the year just to encourage root development.

RELOCATION 

 If you are considering changing the placement of an existing tree or shrub, it is recommended in the fall of the year after the plant goes dormant.  This occurs after the first hard frost when the foliage of deciduous plants lose their leaves; usually around October 1st.  Relocation can also be done early in the springtime before the plant starts to grow again.

On the other hand, evergreens are best transplanted in the spring.  The word "evergreen" means green all year round.  Evergreens are especially prone to water loss during the winter simply because they actively continue to grow both above and below the ground during this season.  If by transplanting and disturbing the root system in the fall, this plant could dry out simply from dehydration during the winter.  Cold, dry winter winds and lack of natural rainfall make relocation of evergreens better in the early springtime. 

FALL PRUNING    

Be cautious in trimming during the fall season.  Many shrubs have already set their buds for next spring's blooms.  Lilacs, azaleas, and rhododendrons are examples of plants that should not be pruned in the fall.  Spring flowering plants produce summer foliage growth and the bud is then set at the end of this growth.  By trimming after buds are set, you sacrifice next year's blossoms.  

After leaf fall has occurred on non-spring blooming plants in autumn, this is considered an excellent time to thin and shape these plants while dormant.

DEHYDRATION

Dehydration is the term for plants losing water throughout the winter due to high winds and lack of ample free moisture in the soil   During an open winter, evergreens are especially prone to experience this.  One solution is a product called Wilt-Pruf.  When this product is sprayed on the leaves or needles, it leaves a waxy coating that helps to seal in moisture. Wilt-Pruf is also very effective on fresh cut Christmas trees and wreaths to prevent water loss while indoors for the holiday season.

Wilt-Pruf can also be used on any newly planted nursery stock to help slow down the transpiration of moisture through the leaves, no matter what season.