The Tree Planting Nightmare Continues

I have worked in the tree industry for 27 years. Improper tree planting has created more issues (and work) than any other issue. Insects and diseases are a problem, but humans are the biggest pest. Unfortunately, most arborists are not involved in the tree planting practice. I have heard arborists complain for decades about improper tree planting, but few will do anything about it. Most tree planting is done by landscapers, lawn companies, developers and other non-tree care related vendors. Perhaps someday arborists will join the fight. Here are some easily avoidable issues that contribute to the nightmare:

#1 Right Plant for the Right Location

This seems like an easy guideline to follow, but it just doesn’t seem to compute into reality. Selecting a tree for the right conditions (soil, light, growing space) will eliminate the need for tons of maintenance over the long haul. Planting a shade tree in a 10’ by 10’ restricted lawn will reduce the lifespan of the tree greatly. Planting a large shrub under a 3-foot window will lead to increased need for pruning. Planting trees not suitable for certain soils or weather conditions, will lead to insect, disease and other abiotic disorders.

This is a 25-foot tall and wide crabapple tree planted 3 feet from the garage. This is not sufficient space for a HEALTY tree. This is really a space for a very small tree or shrub.

This is a 50-foot tall and wide shade tree planted in a commercial bed that is 5 feet wide. For a healthy tree, this planting space is less than 10% of the ideal bed size. This tree will outgrow this space in less than 10 years and will either struggle with the lack of root zone or will start to potentially inflict damage to the bed. Understandably, installing shrubs or ornamental grasses in these beds will block the view for drivers. Ideally, I would like to see a re-design of the parking to utilize trees in larger beds.

#2 Planting Too Deep

The real epidemic of poor tree planting practices starts with specifications. I do think that many people are trying to plant correctly, but unfortunately, they are following incorrect specifications. Most companies are installing trees with the top of the root ball planted at the grade of the soil (like their specifications indicate). This would be great if the actual root flare was located at the top of the root ball. In the diagram below, most people will install this tree so the green line is at ground level. Unfortunately, the actual root flare for most trees is often 8 to 10 inches below the top of the balled and burlap package (the red line). This leads to trees that are installed 8 to 10 inches too deep and will start their life of struggles.

Note from The BIG Oak = I have planted hundreds of balled and burlap trees and NOT ONCE has the root flare ever been at the top of the ball. Typically, about 8 to 10 inches of soil needs to be removed ABOVE the root flare to get the newly planted tree at the proper level.

Installing trees too deep will lead to all kinds of establishment issues. I have managed hundreds of properties over the years, and not one time have I ever inspected a site that did not have several trees planted too deep. As an arborist, this seems like the easiest correction to make, but it involves education and training of hundreds of companies.

Typical tree planted WAY too deep. After pulling back 5 inches of mulch and 12 inches of soil, the root flare was eventually found. This tree was eventually “lifted up” over 12 inches and replanted property (not an easy task).

#3 Remove the Twine

Many companies install trees and leave the twine intact. We have all been told that the twine will break down and is needed to hold the tree in place. In some cases, the twine will break down. However, after 27 years and after the removal of hundreds of newly planted trees choked and killed by twine, I’m not buying it. Twine should not be the reason your new tree is dead.

Removing this twine would take 2-3 snips and could save the tree’s life. However, this tree was also installed 12 inches too deep and has bigger problems.

For 80% of the trees killed by twine, this is what I see. The twine does not break down and eventually the tree tries to grow around it. Too many times, the twine chokes the cambium and the tree declines (and often dies).

#4 Crowded Planting

In the picture below, an arborvitae (which will grow to 15 feet tall) is planted one foot from a linden tree (basically underneath it). Obviously, the plant has zero chance of survival long term but it was still stuffed in there. The landscape bed itself is already pretty narrow, but this poor arborvitae could have been moved over a few feet to the right.

Summary of Planting Concerns

Selecting the right tree, planting at the proper depth, cutting twine and spacing out plants are all human errors. All of these concerns are easily correctable. Depending on the sources read, it has been documented that anywhere between 25-40% of newly planted trees will NOT survive. I would agree with that comment having witnessed all of the results from poorly planted over 27 years. I would estimate the survival rate for trees that I have planted, the survival rate would be closer to 95%. Most of the 5% of trees that have died dealt with watering or weather concerns that were out of my control. Think of all the money and trees people could save if they made 2 or 3 small adjustments.

The red arrows indicate a trunk fracture created from planting this linden tree 12 inches too deep. Once excavated, it was also discovered that the tree had many stem girdling roots developing that would have choked and killed the tree soon.