Florida Tree and Shrub Installation Tips
Planting trees and shrubs requires more than just digging a hole and putting them is the ground. Many times I have seen landscaping companies and home owners install new shrubs only to watch some of them die from incorrect planting. This is not only a waste of time but more important, a loss of money. In today’s economy, no one can afford that to happen. You don’t have to be a professional horticulturist to be successful and have the landscape you desire. It all starts at the beginning with a good foundation.
Before purchasing selection is very important. Make sure that you only choose trees and shrubs that will adapt to each location. Quality is also important so shop at a reputable garden center or nursery.
For shrubs, pick ones that are not “Broken”, “Cracked”, or “Scared”. For trees, choose ones that are “Upright” and full of Branches (Not Thin). Look at the foliage. If they are Dropping their Leaves or don’t look Healthy with Droopy Leaves. If they are, Don’t Buy Them!
Planting Tips For Trees and Shrubs
| 1) | Prepare area by removing debris such as rocks, dead leaves, dead branches, and old mulch using a garden rake. Grade area to a proper level for proper drainage. |
| 2) | Do Not add amendments for they are not beneficial to use when planting. The roots will be kept from spreading. Shrub Roots need to grow beyond the branch spread. Roots of large trees need to grow at least 30-feet from the trunk, providing support and for them to find nutrients. |
| 3) | Remove tree or shrubs from it’s container by laying it on it’s side and hitting the pot with heel of your hand. pull it out after it has been loosened. If it does not come out freely, cut the container down the side away the “Root Ball”. |
| 4) | Break apart “Root Ball” down the side with garden shears, an ax, or your hand. This gives the roots a chance to grow outward to become established quicker, and absorbing nutrients and water faster. |
| 5) | Avoid air pockets by filling the hole with water first. Place tree or shrub in the hole and fill the sides with dirt but not compacting it to tightly. Water after the tree or shrub when you are finished planting. |
| 6) | Do Not Plant or Bury Trees or Shrubs Too Deep. Plant them no deeper than they have been grown in the container. The “Root Ball” should be even or slightly above the soil surface to allow for settling. I recommend slightly above. Planting at the correct level assures they will receive the right amount of air. |
| 7) | Plant the good side facing forward (the direction you want them to be seen) because they might not have been shaped properly by the retailer or nursery before being sold. This is especially for shrubs. Proper pruning after tree or shrubs become established will help them to grow well-rounded. |
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Do Not Plant shrubs too close to each other. You want to give them room to grow to their mature size (Read Label) It is important to know how each type will eventually grow in size. For placement - Plant shrubs Three Feet apart and Three feet away from Buildings, or Fences. Over planting is a common mistake causing over-crowding and over spending. |
| 9) | Apply mulch over the root ball around the base at a two-to-three inch layer. Do Not pile mulch up against the trunk of the tree or shrub leaving space, and spread it evenly around it. Too much mulch piled against shrubs can cause root or stem rot. They need air circulation. |
| 10) | Fertilize after “Thirty Days” of planting. Place Granular Fertilizer one to two feet away from the trunk around the tree or shrub at an even rate. Place top of mulch or pull mulch apart and place on top of the soil. Follow directions for amount on the fertilizer label. |
| 11) | When planting trees, it is important they have a strong foundation and are placed upright. Staking larger trees is recommended for support protecting them from wind before roots become established. form a saucer like basin with a burm around the tree to aid in watering. |
| 12) | Do Not plant trees that will become large too close to buildings for the roots can damage the foundation. Limbs can break off during storms damaging roofs and windows. |
| 13) | Do Not plant trees where the roots will grow under driveways and sidewalks for the roots can damage concrete or brick Plus, the tree can have health problems from roots being buried under them. |
| 14) | Remember if you have a large tree on your property line the owner is responsible for trimming limbs growing into your neighbors yard, and any damage done from broken falling limbs. |
Following these Tree and Shrub Installation Tips will ensure healthy growing trees and shrubs in Florida.
Kurt Kmetz
Welcome back gardening and landscaping friend... Thank's for visiting!
Cold Damage Palm Tree and Shrub Care
Did You Receive Cold Damage in Your Florida Landscape?
Now that Florida has experienced freezing temperatures many people are wondering…“Will I need to replace my trees and shrubs?”
Most likely you won’t have to replace all of them. They can bounce back from the cold even if they have been hit hard. “What can I do and how can I tell what to expect?“ are questions many of you have.
How about my Shrubs?
First you will see the leaves turning brown and dropping off. This is a normal and natural process for them to do. Don’t be alarmed if all that is left are branches and stems. The way to check if they are still alive is to scrape off the bark with your fingernail going all the way down to the base of the shrub. If you see green tissue, they are still alive. Also remember the roots can still be alive so don’t remove them right away.
Pruning Cold Damaged Shrubs:
If part of the stems or branches are brown or hollow they will need to cut back to where the green begins. Even if this means cutting them back all the way down to the base of the shrub. The tops can be dead but the bottoms can be still alive. Do Not begin to prune now. Wait until Springtime begins which should be towards the end of March. The shrub is still in shock and plus you you don’t want to stimulate new growth for another freeze can still happen. Just be patient and hold off pruning for now.
Fertilizing Your Shrubs After a Freeze:
Do Not fertilize your shrubs right now, wait until spring arrives. It is best to leave them alone for now. When springtime begins, apply a “Slow-Release” Granular Fertilizer such as “6-6-6″ or “8-10-10″. It is okay to continue to water as you normally would even if a freeze has occurred. By Spring you will know what survived and those that did not.
Palm Tree Cold Damage Treatment:
Palm trees that have been hit by cold damage need to be immediately treated with a Fungicide such as “Liquid Copper“. Spray them two times fourteen days between each treatment. Do Not treat more than twice.
Make sure the trunk gets treated thoroughly so the tree will get a drink, soaking it up. Spray the leaves where they are still green with a Nutritional Palm Liquid Fertilizer. There is no need to treat the brown areas on the leaves. Wait until Springtime to apply a Slow-Release Granular Fertilizer formulated for Palm Trees.
Pruning Cold Damaged Palm Trees:
Prune off all dead branches to where they are all eliminated. Cut back brown tips to where green begins. Leave the green portions of the branches even if they are spotted yellow. If newly grown branches and leaves appear to be deformed, brown, or abnormal, the tree has been severely damaged. Any sudden collapse of some or all branches emerging in the crown will indicate the trunk is damaged. This can result in a loss of the palm tree.
Palm trees should grow out of the cold damage but will take some time to completely recover. It can take four to six months well into the summer to return to normal. Only time will tell just how bad they have been affected by freezing temperatures.
Conclusion:
Don’t give up and throw in the towel because it is not a hopeless case. Good chances are your trees and shrubs will bounce back and be fine. Don’t panic. Just wait patiently to find out how bad it realy is. By springtime you will know if any need to be replaced.
Look forward to spring! To begin a new garden with colorful Annuals to complete your landscape.
Spring is ahead!
Kurt Kmetz
