Presentations Offer Information On Tree Planting, Pruning

By Bill Vander Weele

Area residents gathered tips about proper tree planting and pruning during a presentation held at the Neubauer Tree Farm near Wolf Point on April 11.

Patrick Plantenberg of the Montana Urban and Community Forrestry Association provided the information to the interested participants. Plantenberg held similar presentations in Glasgow, Westby, Malta and Winnett during April.

“I’m trying to spread the word,” Plantenberg said prior to the event. He explained that the reason for the workshops “is to get out the information.”

He explained that 70 percent of trees are not planted properly because they usually are planted too deep. The trees won’t necessarily die, but they won’t thrive.

He said that it’s better to plant a tree too shallow than too deep. The first root needs to be at or above the soil surface especially in clay soils.

“If it looks like a telephone pole in the ground, it’s too deep,” Plantenberg said. It’s important to expose roots to some air and water.

When planting a tree, individuals should establish a 4-inch deep trench so water can get to the tree and wood chips don’t blow away. He suggested using wire and fence posts to hold the tree down.

“And I’m encouraging roots to stay near the surface,” Plantenberg said.

He added that grass takes away 70 percent of the moisture, so the goal is to keep the grass away from your tree.

Plantenberg shared that about 90 percent of young trees are not adequately pruned during their first five years.

“It’s really important to prune trees when they are young,” Plantenberg said.

According to information provided by the Montana Urban and Community Forrestry Association, proper pruning is essential in developing a tree with a strong structure and desirable form. Trees that receive the appropriate pruning measures while they are young will require less corrective pruning as they mature.

Limit pruning of newly planted trees to the removal of dead or broken branches. All other pruning should be withheld until the second or third year.

Key Points For Pruning Young Trees * Set an objective for why the tree will be pruned. For younger trees, the objective is to improve tree structure so the tree will be strong and not interfere with its surroundings as it matures.

* Each cut has the potential to change the growth of the tree.

* Poor pruning can cause damage that lasts four the life of the tree. When a tree is damaged, it must grow over the damage and the wound is contained within the tree forever.

* Make pruning cuts just outside of the branch collar to avoid damaging the trunk.

* When a long branch needs to be shortened, prune it back to a secondary branch or bud.

* Cuts made between buds or branches may lead to stem decay, sprout production and misdirected growth, For more information, contact Plantenberg at 406-4314615.