Planting Tree in Front Yard

I’m going to pick up a tree from the city’s free tree giveaway to plant in my front yard, which is currently all cemented over.  Can anyone advise on how to prepare the space for the tree?  (The materials from the city describe how to plant the tree in the ground but seem to presuppose that the ground is ready for the tree.)  I had a pit cut out of the cement, but now what?  Do I dig out the dirt that was under the cement and fill it with new soil?  If so, how much do I dig out and what kind of soil do I put in?  Would appreciate any tips or if anyone can point me to any good online resources.  Thanks!

brooklynny

in Garden 12 years and 10 months ago

5

Please log in, in order to post replies!

5 replies

Newest Oldest

ha | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4934 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4923 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "178764"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(2) "ha"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BK3gwqh/0SnZZ4RgNm3kgiEhwdqlUi0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(2) "ha"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(15) "prbk1@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(44) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/ha/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:03:26"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(2) "ha"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(178764)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Advice from a former professional tree planter:  Greatly depends on your current soil condition (after you removed the concrete).  Remember, the new tree’s roots will soon need to branch out beyond it’s root ball.  Rule of thumb – if what’s there looks to you like “soil”, then it should be ok.  If it looks more like construction debris (bits of concrete, clay, etc.), then you should remove as much as you can and replace with regular “top soil” – not “potting soil”. As far as burlap, we always removed burlap, after placing the plant in its intended hole.  Burlap is often treated with chemicals to avoid rot, insects, etc. none of which is beneficial to a tree.  Also, you may need to prune the roots of the tree if they’ve wound around the root ball. Good luck!

berniceshola | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4933 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4932 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "209445"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(12) "berniceshola"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$gwDmwyYYyzH/pPO3w5IQLeFbET/qg5Uvdf5jZstpNefVx8uCfGm/G"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(12) "berniceshola"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(33) "c.r.ystal.nel.s.on.3445@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-06-29 07:24:25"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(12) "berniceshola"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(209445)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Serviceberry is a really great choice–no root damage, fast growth, outstanding fall color, and the berries are quite delicious.

anotherposter | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4929 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4935 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "53767"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "anotherposter"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bq7XUGtTb.5jsWjD4iMAO7rQGswiJX0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "anotherposter"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "mail.anon.user@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(28) "/forums/users/anotherposter/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:38:06"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "anotherposter"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(53767)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

When you pick up the tree ask about the burlap.  Sometimes it is meant to be planted with the tree.  I’ve gotten some things from a nursery and was strongly told to leave the burlap on, and it will degrade quickly and is necessary in the meantime.  Below are some of the instructions I was given for planting a tree or large shrub in the fall: dig the pit 6 inches wider than the diameter of the root ball, to allow for 3 inches of new/loose soil around the roots, but not below. blend the best of the soil from the pit with 1/3 either humus or compost.  Peat moss can also be added for better drainage.  If there is only clay, remove the dug out clay and replace with topsoil–the roots need to breath at the surface. do not plant it too low, excess rain/water will not run off properly  and could damage the roots. leave on burlap or wire baskets, only remove plastic pots. the root ball should not be completely below the dirt–leae about 2 inches of it above the surround ground level. (same as above, but apparently important enough for multiple mentions) Give it a good soaking.  Water every day for the first two weeks.   Good luck!

brooklynny | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4934 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4936 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "5806"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "brooklynny"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BI11PZwL3ocoAP7.gjZ//lDlmUVUrU1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "brooklynny"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "ericjstoller@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(26) "/forums/users/brooklynguy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:13:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "brooklynny"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(5806)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thanks!  It will be adjacent to a stoop.  I signed up for a serviceberry tree – hopefully that is a suitable species.  I suspect the existing soil is poor quality (it was previously covered with cement).

berniceshola | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4933 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4937 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "209445"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(12) "berniceshola"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$gwDmwyYYyzH/pPO3w5IQLeFbET/qg5Uvdf5jZstpNefVx8uCfGm/G"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(12) "berniceshola"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(33) "c.r.ystal.nel.s.on.3445@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-06-29 07:24:25"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(12) "berniceshola"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(209445)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You’ll want to dig the pit to the depth of the tree’s root ball and at least 2-3x its width. Leave the soil at the bottom of the pit packed (to prevent settling.) Be sure to keep the rootball moist, and remove all the burlap, twine, wire constricting the roots. If the soil is good quality, you can backfill with it, otherwise most nurseries/garden centers have topsoil in bags. Pack it firmly and water it deeply. If it’s going in your front yard adjacent to a stoop, try and pick a species that doesn’t have really aggressive root growth. there’s lots of good instructions here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5303.html