After so much lovely rain it’s a perfect time to get digging and plant bare rooted trees. There’s two great reasons to get bare rooted stock – firstly it gives them heaps of time to establish themselves before the hot summer and secondly, they are often much cheaper as bare rooted stock.
Bare-rooted plants are available in winter – June, July and August. After that it’s too late because they start to shoot and then transplanting becomes a problem.
When you choose your plants keep in mind the site, how much they will grow and whether you want shade or privacy. Check the tree for any obvious physical damage and look for even branch structure. If the tree is grafted or budded remove any growth from the base as it’s the root stock reappearing.
Remember to keep the roots moist. Don’t leave the tree lying in the sun or wind while you’re digging. Dig a good wide hole but not too deep. Plant the tree at the same level as when it was originally in the ground. Generally you can tell where it was planted by the colour change around the base of the stem.
Build a mound of soil at the base and gently place the roots over the top to help support the root system. Then fill the hole and add water to remove any air pockets. Don’t fertilise until the tree starts growing in spring.
Here’s some of our favourites:
1. Malus floribunda – aka the flowering crab apple has an abundance of flowers in late spring and red fruit in autumn. It is ideal for small gardens, large pots and courtyards. Our tree guru Steve loves the weeping variety.
2. Acer palmatum – Japanese Maple has beautiful autumn colours and delicate fern like foliage. ’Sangokaku’ has coral red branches in winter. There are many varieties and shapes to choose from including really small pot size cultivars. They prefer protection from wind and from hot afternoon sun. Steve recommends the fastiagated shape (column) that makes an ideal screen in an area with limited space.
3. Prunus Serrulata – Japanese Cherry has a beautiful lasting double flower blossom. It loves deep moist soils and to be sheltered from hot winds. This deciduous treasure allows the sun to come in during winter.
4. Nyssa sylvatica commonly known as the black or sour gum is actually not a gum tree. Nyssa is a lovely conical shaped tree which will bring form and amazing colour to any garden. This medium sized, deciduous tree is ideal for Canberra backyards but likes moist soil.
5. Betula pendula are the trees that make people take their hats off. Get them in fastigiate or column form and plant five close together to create a little forest in your garden.Beautiful white trunks with dappled light so you can plant bulbs underneath. There’s also a weeping version. We recommend putting root barrier down with these trees.
6. Magnolia stellata
This small, spreading tree has lovely star shaped flowers in pure white or pale pink. Beautiful for vases in early spring.
TreeWorks can advise you on how to get your trees looking their best, increase the sunlight for winter, maximize growth for shade cover, or shape a tree to enhance its beauty.
TreeWorks …. truly tree-mendous