Plant a Tree in Early Spring

Thinking of planting one tree? Or maybe more? Then early spring is the ideal time to do that as your tree will have plenty of good weather conditions - ideally - to grow.

Besides, you will have to be careful as to soil preparation since this is a crucial element for your task success. The following steps are a must:

• dig a hole 2 feet deep and at least 1 foot wider each way than the full spread of the roots. The bottom of the hole should be broken up with a pitchfork and thoroughly mixed with peat, leaf mould, loam, etc.;

• manure should be used sparingly and only on the top of the hole as it burns the roots. The deeper you can cultivate your hole, the better for your tree. Once it is planted, you can cultivate around it but not under the roots;

• having filled the hole to the depth required by the roots of the plant, flood it with water to settle the soil at the bottom; when this has drained away, place the tree in the position in which it is to grow and settle the soil about it;

• after the tree is planted, cutting back is proper. Cut back sharply at least one-third, pruning the branches. It is necessary to brace the tree with wire ropes so that the roots will not be broken by the wind. Use a single wire around the trunk and three guy wires;

• for the first year after planting, the more cultivation you can do the better. Keep weeds away, too, with straw or mulch, and straw manure mulch in the spring and fall will help keep the moisture in the ground.(Source: Hege Crowton - www.ezinecrow.com) 

 By planting a single tree or more, you will be adding to the UN The Billion Tree Campaign which has already reached the staggering figure of 7.4 billion trees worldwide. Quoting  Prof. Wangari
Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement and 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate“When we plant trees, we plant the seeds of peace and seeds of hope.”