Almost every summer, trees are the subject of the evening news on television and on the front page of the newspaper. Unfortunately, the trees we see are usually being consumed by a forest fire, and sadly the fire was sometimes started by a human hand, either deliberately or through carelessness.
As regular readers of this column know, I am a strong advocate of planting trees because of the many benefits they bring to our lives. This activity is generally known as "reforestation". However that can be a bit daunting to many people who picture vast areas of densely grown trees when they hear a word that includes "forest". But I ask you not to be put off by the word. You don't need a piece of land the size of Texas to begin your own mini reforestation project.
There are numerous websites devoted to the subject of reforestation that offer a great deal of helpful advice and "how to" information. Recently, I took a look at the USDA's website known as RNGR which stands for Reforestation, Nurseries and Genetic Resources. The address is: http://www.rngr.fs.fed.us/default.htm As usual you can link directly to any websites mentioned here by going to my website and finding this column on the "Plant Man" page. I heartily agree with their assertion that reforestation plays a key role in managing our natural environment. Many landowners believe that nature alone will reforest cut-over lands given adequate time. However, by managing reforestation efforts you can create a significant impact on the land including: improved environmental quality, increased biodiversity, create wildlife habitat and enhanced timber opportunities. By the way, at the RNGR site, you can click on a very informative 19-minute video titled ""Nine Lives of a Pine Seedling."
If you need to be convinced of the financial benefit of your own reforestation project, take a look at some persuasive information collected by the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of North Carolina. You can find it at: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/nreos/forest/woodland/won-08.html They state that prices paid to landowners nationally for softwood sawtimber and quality hardwood sawtimber will rise at a rate at least equal to that of inflation. Which is probably better than many other investments right now.
If you need more information about reforestation, contact the Agricultural Extension service at a University near you. There are several helpful links on the "Resources" page of my website, and I'm always happy to help you personally if you drop me an e-mail.
The Plant Man is here to help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs and landscaping to steve@landsteward.org or mail to: Steve Jones, "The Plant Man", P.O. Box 686, McMinnville, TN 37111. For resources and additional information, including archived columns, visit www.landsteward.org often.
QUESTION: "Steve, I just recently read a column in my local suburban paper by you and was thrilled to read the topic was on new trees. I had 2 planted in April, a redbud and an apple serviceberry. Neither came with any instructions about watering. The redbud has a circumference of 5 inches and the serviceberry 5 1/2 inches. Please give me an idea of how much and how often to water them. Our season has been very hot and dry the past 6 weeks. Also are new trees not to be fertilized for a couple years? Should I be doing root stimulator applications on them both and for how long? While on trees topic when is the best time to have Bradford trees pruned? Thank you for this valuable service. I will certainly look for your column from now on." - Mary J.
ANSWER: The best rule of thumb for new trees is to make sure the root ball is moist until it grows through the first season. To do this you can purchase a product from a manufacture called Jobe. This is a tree spike that attaches to a regular garden hose. Directions come with the spike. Or if you cannot find this product take a 1 to 2 inch pvc pipe and hammer into the root ball but at the farthest point form the trunk of the tree. Make sure the root ball is damp at least once a week during the first season. A lot of folks think by watering the top of the ground that the roots of the tree are getting watered and that is simply not the case. To prove it to yourself, water some ground for a few minutes then dig down to see how far the water has traveled. You can fertilize your new trees with a fertilizer that stimulates root growth. Ask for it at your local garden center. The best time to trim any trees is when they are dormant... late fall when they drop their leaves or early spring before the leaves appear.
