Planting a Tree

I recently moved into a new home, a beautiful historic Victorian - a home with history and style; but its spacious accommodations and fancy woodwork are secondary to me, in fact I would be just as happy in an averagely appointed home had one thing remained unchanged. Immediately I was sold on it for one stunning aspect - the backyard. It is not a particularly large backyard, being a mere twenty paces deep; however I would not trade it so easily. Towering, mighty maples, two rare black walnuts, and a few other odd species make this quaint space seem as if no one else ever existed. Few people appreciate my find - until they venture 'out back'.

It seems in our modern era, the grand impressiveness of a formidable oak has given way to the glass and steel of skyscrapers. It would seem even, that the natural appeal of America, with all its expanse, is enjoyed by a relative minority. That is not to say, that I am partial to trees over social progress - the opposite is actually true, I am an avid architectural enthusiast. I do, however, hold my backyard forest dear.

Recently, my significant other and myself have made a new addition to the family - in the planting of a baby apple tree. Dwarfed by flanking colossuses, our ten-foot-tall wonder will soon grow and provide us with further shelter from the busy streets a stone's throw away; and in turn, our backyard will grow more beautiful.

I was moved by the ease in this planting tree, a tree that will grow old just as I do, a tree that will provide so much return on such a simple investment. I was so moved, I felt compelled to share this experience in the hopes that more trees can make my neighbor's yard more enjoyable too.

When selecting a tree, a hint of discretion must be exercised. A moderate amount of discretion must be exercised if odd or exotic species are in close proximity to a new tree. I learned, to my amazement, that my wonderful towering black walnuts produce a toxin from their roots that affects my apple tree. A little more research told me that they would still be compatible with each other, as long as the young apple was planted outside the walnut's canopy.

Size and purpose is another concern. When we arrived at the nursery, there were so many types of trees - and then so many types of apple trees, that it was a bit overwhelming. A little bit of research and a basic idea of what you want to expect from your tree will alleviate any problems in selecting one. We opted to go for a medium sized apple tree. It will grow up to twenty feet tall and provide us with privacy from our neighbors, a small amount of shade, and delicious fruit once it matures. Had we wanted a tree strictly for shade, we may have opted for a maple.

Once you have decided and have your tree home, a few tips will ensure that it makes the transition from the nursery pot to your backyard soil smoothly. Firstly, you should dig a hole about three times in diameter as the pot it comes in. This will provide loose soil for the roots to grow into once it is filled back in. Secondly, when the hole is filled, be sure that the original base of the soil in the pot is just above ground level. This ensures that the roots will not be planted too deeply. Lastly, once the soil is filled back around the plant, a layer of mulch will help retain vital moisture after it is watered. Be sure to leave a gap of several inches around the base of the tree and the mulch to prevent fungus infection, as the mulch can keep too much moisture on the trunk.

After your tree is planted, it will be fairly self-sufficient as long as it is watered on a regular basis. I was told to water once a week with an hour long, root-soaking trickle, but I also water it more often in a casual manner in times of dryness. I also heard that it is best not to feed your tree with plant fertilizers until it is well established.

In practically no time at all you will have planted your own tree that will, under favorable conditions, last a lifetime. It will provide shade, privacy, and beauty, and in the case of fruit-bearing species, delicious rewards. I hope you will find your new tree as inspiring as I find mine.