Beware of Treacherous Trees and Shrubs

Thinking about planting some trees or shrubs this fall? Good for you — autumn is the perfect time to do it. Just be aware that trees and shrubs attract their share of problems that need to be addressed. They can also cause big and potentially fatal damage for two reasons:

Improper placement. Every year, during major storms, trees that are too big for their britches (sites) crash through the roofs of homes, sometimes with deadly results. On a less lethal but still destructive note, an oversize tree or shrub can cause considerable damage to your bank account by sending its roots through your driveway, dropping its leaves into your gutters, casting too much shade on your lawn and garden beds, and who knows what else. At the very least, a tree or shrub that’s too big for its site will require constant pruning to keep it in bounds.

THE TAKEAWAY: Always buy a woody plant that will be the height and width you want when it reaches maturity, not when you see it in a pot.

Dangerous offerings. Many beautiful trees and shrubs produce slippery fruits that can stick to the soles of your shoes. Other types manufacture nuts that act as marbles under your feet. In either case, they could send you (or a visitor) crashing down — possibly with tragic results.

YOUR MISSION: Always site these “gift-giving” plants well away from places where people walk, play, or relax, including decks, patios, driveways, walkways, and stairs.

Here’s another thing to think about before purchasing a woody plant: When trees and shrubs have problems, they’re usually big ones that can be stressful and expensive to deal with. The key to stopping them before they start is to “go native.” Trees and shrubs that are native to your region are much less susceptible to pests and diseases than any plant that’s been brought in from somewhere else — even if the newcomer is a variety that can perform in your growing conditions. Don’t worry — it won’t take you much time to find top performers. Just look for a good nursery that specializes in trees and shrubs that grow naturally in the area. 

Plant a Tree to Liven Up Your Landscape

Besides adding a jolt of seasonal color with their festive spring flowers or bright autumn leaves, trees can perform a lot of purely practical feats around the old homestead:

Cut your energy costs. Strategically placed deciduous trees offer cooling shade in the summer, and then conveniently shed their leaves in the fall, so sunlight can filter through all winter long — just when you need it most.

Hold your soil in place. Trees’ extensive root systems grab the ground, so the soil is less likely to wash away when the rain just won’t stop.

Fight your pest-control battles. Trees offer food and shelter for birds and other critters, which feast on destructive insects.

Boost your property value. Handsome, healthy, and well-placed trees can increase your home’s sticker price considerably.

Most trees can be planted any time the ground isn’t frozen. Here’s how to get ‘em started out on the right root:

STEP 1: Thoroughly water the roots of your tree.

STEP 2: Dig a hole that’s wide and deep enough to accommodate the roots. Make jagged slices into the sides of the hole, then work a handful or two of my Woody Plant Booster Mix into the bottom of the hole:

Mix 4 pounds of compost, 2 pounds of gypsum, 1 pound of dry dog food, 1 pound of dry oatmeal, and 1 pound of Epsom salts together in a tub or wheelbarrow. Then work a handful or two of the mixture into the planting hole of each tree or shrub.

STEP 3: Set the tree into the hole so the beginning of the trunk—the spot where the bark turns lighter—is above the soil surface.

STEP 4: Refill the planting hole about halfway, the flood the hole to the top with water, wait for it to sink in, and finish refilling the hole with water.

STEP 5: Use leftover soil to form a raised ring around the edge of the planting hole, then water again for about five minutes with your hose nozzle on moderately low pressure.

STEP 6: Spread several inches of organic mulch within the ring that you’ve made around the root zone. But be sure to keep the mulch about 6 inches away from the trunk to protect it from diseases and pests.