A tree expert suggests checking local area to see which trees thrive before making choice for the yard
The prime time for caliper tree planting is here, and Toso Bozic is eager to share his tree expertise with those looking to spruce up their yards this summer.
As a tree expert and chief executive officer of ATTS group, his consultant group based out of Alberta, Bozic knows where, when, how and what trees should be planted in specific situations.
“Number one, choosing the right tree for your property,” he said. “Lots of people choose very good trees, but they plant them into soil environments that the trees cannot meet most of the time, and they suffer.”
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Caliper trees are larger ones, typically with bigger root balls and a sturdy trunk rather than smaller saplings.
In sandier soil, people should lean toward planting pine trees because they are better suited to it. Soil that holds more moisture can handle poplars, elms and ashes since they can better handle the excess water.
Finding a tree that will fit the environment and making sure there’s enough space for the tree to properly grow is vital as well. Then, it’s about digging the proper hole.
“Lots of people with caliper trees dig up the hole that is the same as the pot, or basket,” said Bozic. “You have to at least have two or three times the size of the pot.
“People will spend $400 on the tree and then spend five cents on digging the hole.”
The depth and width of the hole is crucial to the survival of the tree. Digging the hole wider than the tree roots allow them to grow easily through the soft soil.
Also, having the “root collar,” or band near the base of the tree, at the same level as the topsoil ensures the roots don’t grow too deep. Most tree roots only spread through the top 6 inches of the soil.
Another helpful tip is to only fill the hole with native soil. Bozic said adding soil amendments will cause the tree roots to only grow in the quality soil.
“What happens is people will put a bunch of good soil into the hole when planting the trees,” he said, “and what happens is the roots never ever leave the good soil. Then four, five, six years later I come inspecting the trees, and they literally pull right out.”
He suggested using 10 percent or less soil amendment, and blend it in well with native soil before filling the hole.
When buying the trees, look to see if the roots are circling or coming out of the pot. If this is the case, the roots will likely stay gridlocked and fail to expand.
“For the deciduous trees or hardwood, make sure you have one main leader,” said Bozic, referring to the main stem of the tree.
Make sure the main leader goes all the way up to the top of the tree, rather than branching off early or having multiple leaders from the roots.
His ATTS group suggested that people visit their local parks and look at the trees planted there to understand what trees they should buy.
When it comes to watering, the soil should be kept wet enough that a long screwdriver can be easily pushed into the soil.
Mulching is also important to ensure trees grow healthy.
Baseline Nurseries advises that mulch is applied to a depth of about seven centimetres, and a diameter of about one metre. Growers should ensure that mulch is kept a few centimetres away from the trunk because piling it against the trunk will cause trunk rot and encourage rodent damage.
