Seven
Steps to "Rapid-Growing" Trees
From
the Kansas Urban Forestry Council
Kansas State University and Extension Forestry
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Nearly everyone desires
and appreciates "rapid growth" when they go about
selecting new trees for planting. However, just because
rapid growth is desired, it is not necessary to resort to so called
fast growing, often brittle and short lived species just to attain
that goal.
Slow growth in newly
planted trees can usually be attributed to improper planting or
maintenance. It is easy to increase growth rate 50% to 100% or
more by making a few changes in your planting or maintenance
program. This is true with oaks, hard maples and other species
commonly considered "slow-growing" as well as any other
tree specie.
There are 7 steps to
improving your tree's growth rate. Each is important and can
in itself be a limiting factor in tree growth.
Plant At
The Proper Depth:
Planting a tree too
deeply is a common Practice that results in stagnated growth.
A tree should be planted no deeper than it was growing in the field
or in the container. An inch of soil over the ball on a balled
and burlapped tree is about right. If your soil is heavy clay
or compacted, plant the tree shallow leaving 1/3 to 1/2 of the soil
ball out of the ground then berm the tree with a lighter soil or
wood chip mulch.
Retain
Low Limbs:
Do not prune off low
limbs! Such limbs are temporary on shade-type trees but
they need to be retained for several years following planting.
Low limbs will increase growth rate, increase trunk taper and help
prevent mower injury to the trunk. After the establishment
period of 4 to 5 years, low limbs can be gradually removed a few at
a time over a period of years until the desired clearance is reach.
Basal suckers or "watersprouts" should be removed however,
as soon as they are observed.
Mulch:
Mulches of wood chips,
bark or other coarse organic materials will conserve moisture,
eliminate most weed/grass growth, prevent erosion, and reduce soil
temperature extremes all resulting in improved tree growth and
health. Avoid using grass clippings, sawdust or any fine
materials for mulch.
Irrigate:
Adequate moisture
throughout the growing season rarely occurs without irrigation.
Do not allow your tree to become stressed by lack of moisture or by
too much moisture as a result of over watering. One is
as bad as the other! Plan to irrigate your tree every 7 to 10
days throughout the growing season (during the 4 to 5 year
establishment period) when adequate rainfall does not occur.
Irrigate slowly allowing the water to soak the soil. A
water berm will help retain water allowing it to soak in.
Control
Weeds and Grass:
Maintain a vegetation
free circle of 3 to 4 feet in diameter around your tree throughout
the life of the tree. This can be accomplished by using a
contact herbicide and/or by using mulches within the circle.
Young trees do not compete well with weeds and grass, especially
brome or bermuda grass. These plants left unchecked will
stagnate tree growth. Vegetation free circles also will
prevent mower and line trimmer damage.
Fertilize:
Tree growth in young
trees can be stimulated by fertilizer, especially nitrogen.
Low analysis or slow release granular or liquid fertilizers are
ideal. Plan to fertilize throughout the establishment period
as a minimum except for the first year of planting. It is easy
to burn roots on newly planted trees so you may want to avoid
fertilizing the first year. Your tree will likely respond to
fertilization even beyond the establishment period if you want to
continue to push growth.
Prevent
Line Trimmer/Mower Injury:
Line trimmers and mowers
probably kill more young trees than any other single cause. Do
not touch your trees trunk with either machine! Young bark is
very easily bruised or killed resulting in stress and reduced tree
growth often followed by bores or disease that further weakens or
kills your tree.
Additional
Information
For more information contact the
Kansas Urban Forestry Council, Kansas State University.
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