Compliments of Nipissing Forest Resource Management
North Bay Horticultural Society
Remember that these are trees-they may grow up to be 20-25 m ( 65-82 ft) tall.
On Saturday May 11 we will be distributing White Spruce, White Pine, and Red Pine seedlings at the North Bay Heritage Gardeners Season Opener. Here are some great tips for caring for those seedlings, that were generously donated by the
PLANTING STEPS
1. Minimize stress to your trees
Protect your tree well during transport.
Plant as soon as possible.
If planting is not possible right away, store the tree in a cool, shaded area and water as needed to keep the roots and soil moist.
2. Prepare the planting spot
Plant your tree in a sunny spot (at least ½ day of direct sunlight). White pine and white spruce can grow in sun or partial shade. Red pine prefers sun.
Avoid planting close to structures (e.g. house) or under utility lines.
Dig a hole two to three times wider and a bit deeper than the container or root ball (this is a small tree so you won’t need a big hole). When placed in the hole, the root collar (i.e. where the roots join the main stem or trunk) should be equal to or slightly above the depth of the hole.
3. Plant your tree with care
For trees in containers, gently slide the root ball out of the pot and into the hole.
Fill the hole in and around the roots with good quality soil. Gently pack the soil around the roots until the root collar is slightly below the soil level and the tree is vertical.
4. Take care of your tree
Mulch: Apply two to four inches of mulch (diameter of 12-24 inches) around the tree to reduce the growth of weeds and retain water in the soil. Be sure to keep mulch two to three inches away from the stem of the tree.
Watering: Water slowly and deeply immediately after planting and once a week or more as needed during dry conditions to keep the soil moist.
Mowing or weeding: Control competing vegetation around your tree for 3-5 years by mowing to the edge of the mulch, maintaining the mulch, pulling any tall vegetation close to the tree, etc. It is important for the tree to have access to light and water and to avoid having vegetation crushing the tree in the winter.