Columnar trees
like Italian cypress give height to the landscape.
Columnar trees have a narrow canopy, their cylindrical shape well-suited for tight spaces. Columnar trees can be deciduous such as Lombardy poplar or evergreen like Italian cypress. Planted side by side in a row, columnar trees create a border or privacy fence. Spaced apart along a driveway, the trees give a stately appearance to the landscape. Like most trees, plant columnar trees in the fall while the tree is dormant and before the ground freezes. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Choose a well-draining planting location. Read the label of the tree to determine sunlight requirements. Many trees require full sun.
2. Dig the hole two to three times as wide as the root ball. Tree roots grow outward, so loosened soil promotes easier root growth. Dig the hole only as deep as the root ball is tall.
3. Remove the tree from the container. Leave burlap attached if present. Place the root ball in the center of the hole.
4. Evaluate the depth of the hole. The top of the root ball should be level with the surrounding ground. Add or remove soil from the bottom of the hole, if needed, to achieve the proper level. If soil was added to the bottom of the hole, step on the soil to compact it.
5. Backfill the hole halfway with soil removed from the hole. For a burlap-wrapped root ball, cut the wire or cord securing the burlap to the top of the root ball. Fold the burlap down into the hole to expose the top half of the root ball.
6. Run 1 to 2 gallons of water into the hole to settle the soil. Finish backfilling the hole. Use the remaining soil to create a slightly raised ring around the hole. The raised ring creates a shallow dam to direct water to the root ball. Water again.
7. Spread 3 to 4 inches of mulch such as pine chips around the base of the tree. Pull the mulch back about 3 inches from the trunk of the tree. Replenish the mulch about every three years.
Tags: root ball, bottom hole, columnar trees, Columnar trees, into hole, Italian cypress, like Italian
