An arborist, i.e. a tree care professional, knows how to make the trees in the yard flourish. Avoid these things and you too will succeed!
Apple trees, pine trees, rowan trees… Garden stores are full of different seedlings from which you can grow the most wonderful trees for your home garden.
But how do you ensure that the planting is successful and that the tree grows as a decorative ornament for the garden or a commodity that produces a harvest?
Arborist and gardener Päivi Laurikainen your list For the home stove common mistakes that he himself would avoid to the very last when choosing, planting and caring for a tree.
1. Would not choose a tree based on its appearance alone
When choosing a new tree for your yard, it’s easy to fall into making a decision based on appearance. This should not be done, warns Laurikainen.
It is difficult for a tree to reach its full glory if the garden does not offer it a suitable growing medium.
For example, an apple tree that decorates several yards requires a deep loamy substrate and a lot of space, while a cherry tree requires moist soil.
There is no such tree that can survive in any conditions. That’s why it’s good to be careful.
“A suitable choice for the growing site conditions is a prerequisite for the tree to succeed in the yard. A tree always does poorly in a location that is not typical for the species. When the conditions are right, the tree has the best chance to grow,” explains Laurikainen.
2. You wouldn’t plant the tree too deep
According to Laurikainen, one of the most fatal mistakes one can make when planting a tree is planting the tree too deep in the soil.
When planting a tree, the root neck, i.e. the point where the tree’s uppermost roots start to grow, should always remain on the ground. Otherwise, the tree begins to suffer from a lack of oxygen and does not grow as expected.
“If you don’t see a thicker branch in the lower part of the trunk, then the seedling has been planted too deep. Then the root neck should be dug out and the tree planted in such a way that the thicker part remains visible,” advises Laurikainen.
3. Would not cut wood unnecessarily
Many may think that a tree planted in the home yard requires a lot of care and attention, and the branches are ready to be pruned often.
This is unnecessary, because the trees manage quite well without human intervention, all by themselves.
“Trees don’t really need human care. Still, in the built environment, the growth of trees is controlled and limited so that coexistence with humans would be smooth. So before you act, think about why you are removing the branch and whether it is definitely necessary.”
4. Would not cut too much at once
Sometimes tree branches need to be pruned, such as when the branches are dry or damaged. Even in these situations, you should be patient with the scissors.
Trees always grow into their characteristic shape, and this shape can easily be spoiled if you grab the scissors too eagerly, notes Laurikainen.
“You should always remove no more than three living branches at a time directly from the trunk. The tips of the branches can be shortened a little more, but under no circumstances more than a fifth of the growth.”
5. Would not worry too much about the cleanliness of the garden
According to Laurikainen, you shouldn’t worry too much about the cleanliness of the garden.
Sometimes you can let the yard sprawl a little, and the trees and plants planted there boldly adapt to their natural growth environment.
“Too much cleanliness impoverishes urban nature. Reeds, willows, and decaying wood enrich the habitat and are important for promoting biodiversity,” says Laurikainen.
Source: kotiliesi.fi