Looking for a new tree to adorn your landscape? We invite you to choose from our wide selection of trees where youll find great values on evergreens, fruit trees, shade trees, weeping Cherries and more! Come on in and see what we have. Youll be glad you did!
In the meantime, here are some facts you should consider before choosing your new tree:
Root Characteristics - The roots of some species can heave sidewalks and invade turf and garden areas. This is a major consideration for trees planted near driveways, sidewalks and right-of-ways.
Life Expectancy - How long a tree lives depends on where it is planted and the care it receives. Still, some species can be expected to live longer than others. Generally, the faster growing species do not live as long or stay as healthy as ones that grow at more moderate rates.
Maintenance - Cleaning up twigs, branches, fruit and leaves all adds to the maintenance requirements of your trees. Pruning dead and diseased branches is needed to keep your trees healthy.
Growth Rate - How fast a tree grows is greatly influenced by its site, water and fertilizer. All of these things considered, there is still a great variation in the average growth rate between species. Faster growing species generally require more water, pruning and are more disease prone and short lived.
Disease Resistance - To a large extent, disease resistance is dependent on the overall health and vigor of the individual tree. The faster growing species lack the ability to fight diseases compared to slower growing species.
Insect Resistance - The extent to which a tree will become damaged or killed from insect attack largely depends upon its overall health and vigor. Some species tolerate this damage better than others. Drought, heat or other stresses can attract damaging insects.
Salt/High pH Tolerance - This is of critical importance in tree species selection. If you are unsure as to the salt and/or alkali condition of your soil, check with us. While leaching can sometimes alter salt concentrations in the soil, it is almost impossible to effectively change the pH (alkali) level on the scale necessary for most moderate to large trees.
Drought Tolerance - Tree species vary greatly in the quantity of water they use daily as well as their ability to withstand extended periods of drought. Improper watering can greatly influence tree health and survivability.
Size at Maturity - The mature size of any individual tree will be determined by its planting site, care and the genetic potential of the species. Always consider size at maturity and the planting site in making your selections. Severe pruning to limit size can greatly reduce health, beauty and life expectancy.
Heres What You Need:
A Sunny Window
Plants like a southern exposure. If you don't have a window that will do, consider investing in some cool-white florescent bulbs.
Containers
Make sure they are clean and have good drainage. If you are using a fiber or peat pot, soak it well before adding soil. Dry fiber pots draw moisture away from the soil.
Seeds
You'll get the best results if you purchase fresh seeds, packaged for the upcoming growing season.
Growing Medium
Nothing beats a good commercial medium, specifically for starting seeds, because it is sterile and free of unwanted weed seeds.
Heres What You Do:
Sowing Seeds
Fill pots or flats to within 1/4 inch of the top with your potting mixture and level the surface. It's a good idea to water the soil and allow it to drain thoroughly before sowing the seeds. Make a hole for each seed with your finger or a pencil. Keep in mind that most seeds need to be planted four times as deep as the seed is wide. If your seeds are very fine, cover them with a fine layer of soil.
Moisture and Humidity
Germinating medium should be kept evenly moist but not soaking wet. Too much moisture will cause the seeds to rot. Use a fine sprayer to water newly planted seeds and tiny seedlings or if possible, water from the bottom. If you can, slip your pots and flats into plastic bags to keep the humidity and moisture even and reduce the frequency of watering.
Light
Some seeds require light to germinate while others prefer total darkness. Your seed packet should tell you what your seed's requirements are. Once germinated, all seedlings need light to develop into strong, healthy plants. Supplement the natural light with florescent bulbs if necessary.
Seedling Care
The care you give your seedlings in the weeks following germination is critical. Keep them moist, but not dripping. Small pots and flats dry out quickly, so check them often. If your seedlings are growing in a windowsill, turn them often to encourage straight stems.
The first two leaves you will see on the plant are not true leaves, but food storage cells called cotyledons. Once the first true leaves have developed, it's time to start fertilizing. Choose a good liquid organic fertilizer and use a weak solution once a week.
Hardening Off
One week before transplanting your seedlings outdoors, start to harden them off. This process acclimates the soft and tender plants, which have been protected from wind, cool temperatures, and strong sun, to their new environment. Move the plants to a shady outdoor area at first, and bring them indoors for the night if night temperatures are cold. Move them out into the sun for a few hours, increasing the time spent in the sun each day. Keep them well watered during this period, and don't place them directly on the ground if slugs are a problem. Monitor them closely for insect damage, since tender young seedlings are a delicacy for insects.
Transplanting
Don't be in a rush to set your plants in the garden. If they won't withstand frost, be sure all danger of frost has passed before setting them out. Plan the garden in advance. Consider companion planting and plant sizes. Make sure your tall plants won't shade low growing neighbors.
Water the ground outside and the seedlings thoroughly before transplanting. This helps prevent transplant shock. It's preferable to transplant on a cloudy day so strong sun won't wilt your seedlings.
