Are you
planning to plant trees to shade your yard or garden? If
so, you are probably looking for trees that grow very fast and
provide plenty of shade.
With so many types of trees available, you will have no problem
finding a variety that will grow fast and provide all the shade
that your garden needs to survive.
There are also many
things you can do to speed up the growth of trees.
Generally, trees are separated into two categories: long
lived and short lived. If you are just looking for some
temporary shade, stick to a
short lived tree. But if you plan on keeping it for
years, go for a long lived tree.
If you decide on a short lived tree, you are probably
looking for something with speedy growth. Faster growing
trees have
root systems that are particularly aggressive, so be sure
not to place it near any septic tanks or other deep
rooted plants. If the roots have plenty of area to grow,
they will shoot out extremely fast and your tree
will take off in growth.
Your placement should also be
based on the tree’s relative position to the area you
wish to shade. Keep it to the western
or southern sides for maximum shading.
Preparing your soil
well for the shade trees can be the best way to
encourage quick growth. The bigger the hole you dig for the
root ball, the better. Also when you dig out the soil
from the hole, work it over well before you
replace it. This will allow the roots to penetrate
through the soil better.
If you mix
fertilizer and nutrients into the soil before you replace
it, you will end up with a superior tree. Try to
use organic materials as mulch. Bark and any branches or
twigs work well for this, and will encourage the quick
growth.
When you buy a shade tree, it will usually come with
the roots balled up and in a burlap bag. It might
also be grown in a container or simply with bare roots.
If you get a tree in a burlap bag, you can plant it
anytime between fall and early spring. Trees grown in
containers are ok to plant at almost any time of the
year.
If the tree just has bare roots, the ideal
planting time is in winter and early spring. If
you buy a tree that has been grown in a container, make
sure that the roots are not constricted by the
container. This will usually cause the roots to grow in
circles underground after you plant it.
After you buy
the tree and before you plant it, be sure to constantly
add moisture to it.
The ideal planting process would include putting it in
the ground at the proper depth and replacing the soil
without compressing it too much. Your Garden or Nursery
personnel will tell you how deep to dig the hole. Immediately after
planting, give the tree its first watering
before putting the layer of mulch on. Always
use organic mulch and have a 2 or 3 inch layer of it at
the base of your tree.
Use nitrogen fertilizer during the
early life of the tree. Follow instructions on the label to find out exactly
how much to apply and when to apply it. Never apply too
much fertilizer while the tree is young. Wait until it has been established for about a
year. The fertilizer that you do add should be
sufficiently watered down.
With proper planning you can create the perfect
environment for the tree to spring right up and provide
you with plenty of shade within months.
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Your placement should also be
based on the tree’s relative position to the area you
wish to shade. Keep it to the western
or southern sides for maximum shading.
