Plan ahead with fall tree planting
- col-karen-gotter
- October 5, 2020
- 863
Last week our staff was invited to get out of the office and enjoy the waning days of summer by leading a pack of Webelo Boy Scouts on a forestry field day.
Though we’ve only had a few, this wound up being one of the most satisfying educational trips we’ve had all summer. We were treated to gorgeous weather and a group of enthusiastic boys showing off their knowledge of trees, streams and wildlife. Can you think of a place you’d rather experience this than a stream-side woods during the fall? I couldn’t.
We all feel the seasonal change in the air, and now we are starting to see it in the signs of autumn around us. While plenty of indicators point to the end of summer, nothing is more commented on than the changing color of the leaves. With cooler weather and changing light, the palette of Holmes County in the fall is one of the many things that brings “leaf peepers” to the area, and as coronavirus lingers, leaf-inspired tourism will be a safe and “normal” activity to immerse ourselves in.
The fall color is what usually comes to mind when we think of trees in autumn, but in order to get to the point where we can enjoy that beauty, we have to be planning ahead.
Springtime is when we encourage planting trees because it can be better for bare-root seedlings to thrive. The seedlings are still dormant from winter, and there is plenty of moisture and lengthening days to get them off to a good start. However, mid to late fall can be a great alternative to spring planting, as we are now approaching dormancy. The seedling will be able to settle in to its new home over winter and be ready to take off in the spring, without the transplant shock and unpredictable planting conditions.
Site location is key, and planting in fall will allow you to imagine how the species you select will look and behave on the landscape better than when you are viewing a late-winter landscape. Soil conditions are one thing to consider, as some species can be sensitive to compaction or salinity. However, moisture is by far the most important consideration for fall tree planting.
Despite the few good soakings we’ve had in the past month, we are coming out of a dry summer, and our soil moisture levels are not enough to sustain a tree that has been babied through the summer months. Container-grown trees will do best when planted in a hole that has been dug to the exact depth of the container it was grown in, but in a hole twice as wide. This will allow the lateral “feeder” roots to penetrate into soft soil that was backfilled around it to access water and nutrients without quite the work required to penetrate downward. Watering should occur on a regular basis until a few good freezes have pushed the tree into winter dormancy.
Regardless of the season, tree planting needs to be preceded by tree planning. If you have questions about tree planting or ongoing tree care, reach out to resource professionals so you can enjoy your trees before they become problematic. Ohio State Extension personnel, ODNR Foresters, and private nursery, landscape and forestry professionals will all be happy to work with you to keep your trees healthy into the future. And, of course, your Soil and Water Conservation District staff also is here with a wide range of resources to help you out.
One thing I’d like our local readers to be aware of is we are currently preparing for our spring tree sale. If you are interested in receiving an order form, let us know so we can put you on our mailing list. Like usual, we will advertise in local print publications and online and will continue to offer online sales. We have noticed a few of the nurseries we normally work with are experiencing low stock, so if you want to be sure to have the best selection, get your order in early.