November Mona Newsletter

____________November Green Page___________

TREE PLANTING

To maintain the environmental quality of our towns and countryside we need to plant more trees to replace those lost through old age, urban development and changes in agricultural practices.

WHAT TO PLANT

Once you have selected a site for tree planting the most suitable species for planting on it must be chosen. The choice should be based upon the following considerations:

Soil type, drainage, exposure, etc.

The suitability of different species for the use and size of the site.

The suitability of different species in the landscape.

Try to choose species that grow well in the area. This ensures that the new trees blend in with the landscape and have a better chance of surviving with low maintenance.

WHEN TO PLANT

Planting can be carried out when the trees are dormant, from November to March, but not when the soil is frozen or waterlogged.

HOW TO PLANT

Keep the roots of bare-rooted trees moist in a polythene sack or a heeled-in in a loosely dug trench while awaiting planting.

Prepare your site before you plant by digging a pit at least 2ft wider and 6in deeper than the root system of your tree. The bottom of the pit should be well forked over to break up the subsoil.

Tree stakes should be off-centre and should be at least 8ft long.

Remove any containers from the roots. Damaged roots should be cut back to sound growth. Place the tree to the side of the stake away from the prevailing wind.

Plant the tree at its original soil depth. (shown by the discoloration on the tree trunk) Backfill with good quality topsoil or a mix of 7 parts topsoil/3 parts peat/ 2 parts sand and 200g fertiliser (10N:10P:10K). Fine soil should be placed around the roots and the tree gently shaken to fill any air pockets. Soil should be firmly tamped down, taking care not to damage the roots.

Secure the tree to the stake just below the lowest branch and just above ground level.

Water the tree after planting.

MAINTENANCE

Tree stakes should be checked regularly.

Weeds around the base of the tree should be regularly cleaned.

A fertiliser should be forked in around the trees in their second season.

Watering should be carried out regularly during the first two growing seasons

Broken branches should be cut back to strong growth and the wound should be painted with sealing compound such as Arbrex..


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