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Fall tree planting is a great time to put new trees in the ground especially in areas where summers are extreme and winters are mild. Not only is it good for the tree it is good for the gardener too. Basic fall tree planting procedures have remained the same on most counts but there is some debate on if and when amending the soil is called for. Late fall tree planting is never recommended though so plan what you want to plant and when you will do it well in advance.
Digging and amending soil activities are much easier on fall days for the gardener than in the heat of a summer day. Being put in the ground when the ground is able to retain water and the days are warm but not extremely hot are easier on the tree also. These environmental factors significantly decrease the stress a new plant feels and allows it to move more swiftly into establishing itself before winter arrives. Late fall planting is not advised because the heaving of frozen ground can kill a tree that has had less than six weeks to settle in.
Previous tree planting guides have advised amending the soil with lots of organic matter before refilling the hole. Current methods advocate making sure the soil pH is right before planting and amending it with lime if needed. It is also recommended that rock phosphate or superphosphate be added to the soil at the time of planting to add phosphorus but any other amendments or fertilizing is best left until spring.
Check out the specifics of the type of tree you want to plant and talk to local gardeners about their experiences with them. Zones often have pockets where plants do well that are not normally suitable and local gardeners are the best source of information on the areas subtitles. As summer winds to an end be prepared with the information and materials you need. Buy your tree after you have the hole dug and plant it as soon as possible after purchase. As soon as possible is different for bare root trees than ball or container trees. Bare-root trees need to be soaked in water for 12-24 hours before planting or the roots need to be treated with slurry of hydrogel and kept moist until planting. Bare-rooted trees are ready for fall tree planting after leaves have fallen which is normally mid-October to late November. Although many species can be planted bare root some can not. Hawthorn, hornbeam, hackberry, ginkgo, shingle oak and hophornbeam are not recommended trees to purchase bare root.
Fall tree planting remains a popular gardening activity and most trees do well being put in the ground during the early fall. Some of the ideas on adding massive amounts of organic material to the soil that is put back into the hole have changed and new recommendations are being made to make the transition easier for the trees and improve the success rate of fall tree planting.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about fall gardening and organic gardening at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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