The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is offering tips to give the trees planted this spring the best chance of survival, so that they are tall and strong in 50 years when Canada celebrates its 200th anniversary.
Every year the landowners of the Grand River watershed collectively plant tens of thousands of trees. These trees help to restore the natural environment by protecting water quality in streams and rivers, providing wildlife corridors and purifying the air we breathe.
Unpredictable weather patterns mean it is even more important to keep planting trees. A number of crucial steps before and after planting will improve survival.
Right tree, right place
Factors such as soil texture, drainage and surrounding vegetation determine which tree species will thrive or die. Fine clay soils can hold trees like white cedar and Norway spruce. On the other hand, loose sandy soils are well suited to white pine and sugar maple. Silver maple and tamarack like wet sites, while larch and red oak will thrive in drier locations.
Road salt can contaminate the soil, but trees such as white spruce, larch and poplar have a higher tolerance for salt and these species are best for roadsides.
Site preparation
Preparing the land before planting will provide the best growth conditions for your trees. Clear areas of brush and invasive plants, such as European buckthorn. On larger sites, this can be done with a brush saw or a tractor and rotary mower to remove obstacles and provide growing space. Installing plastic mulch before tree planting is a great way to reduce weed competition and hold moisture in the soil. If planting into bare soil, seeding a cover crop of Dutch white clover is a great way to prevent excessive weed growth.
For the first years, control vegetation around the trees to make sure they have room to grow. This will give the trees the best chance of survival.
Get trees into the soil quickly
The roots of bare-root stock (without soil around the roots) will dry out very fast when exposed to sun and wind and need to be planted very quickly. Keep these trees in their planting bag until they are directly planted into the ground. Potted trees can be kept in a shaded area and watered until they are planted.
Mulch madness
Mulching is one of the best ways to keep your trees growing well. Organic matter applied to the base of the tree acts as a blanket to hold moisture, protect against extreme soil temperatures and reduce grass competition. Make sure to place mulch in a donut shape around the tree, so that absolutely no mulch is touching the base of the tree. This can cause decay of vital root-collar tissue. A two to four inch layer of mulch at an inch or two away from the trunk is enough.
Water, water, water
For the first few years of growth, a tree expends a lot of energy trying to establish roots in the soil. Watering can be very important during this time if rainfall is sparse. Water the tree right after planting and weekly during hot, dry weather. But be careful not to over water, because soggy soil inhibits the tree roots from accessing oxygen. There are many circumstances when watering is difficult due to distance from a water source or the number of trees planted.
Get help — here’s how
Landowners within the Grand River watershed who have at least two hectares (five acres) are eligible for help from the GRCA. This may include a visit by a forestry specialist, developing a planting plan, planting services and grants to offset the cost of the trees.
Check online at www.grandriver.ca/trees or contact a forestry specialist at 519-621-2763 or trees@grandriver.ca for more information. Spring tree orders closed on March 1, but site visits are offered on an ongoing basis, so call anytime.
Annual GRCA tree sale May 12
The Grand River Conservation Authority’s annual tree sale takes place at the forestry barn at the GRCA head office, 400 Clyde Road, in Cambridge on May 12 from 8am to noon.
Trees available include small bare-root seedlings, two or three foot potted trees and five to seven foot saplings of many species.
In addition to trees, the sale includes native wildflower seed mixes and wildflower plugs.
Cancelled orders, trees not picked up and nursery overruns are part of this sale.
The sale is first come, first served and line ups start early.
Once the sale starts, five or six vehicles are brought to the loading dock. As those people leave, more cars are brought in. The most popular trees sell out quickly, but there are always trees available at the end of the sale. More information is available at grandriver.ca/events.
