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September 12, 2019 in Uncategorized

Fabulous Fall tree planting with the Arbor Day Foundation!

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I'll make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
This post was sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation. All thoughts, opinions and experiences are my own. 
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I love trees. And if you’re reading this post I bet you do, too!

​The thirteen trees in my backyard provide much needed shade in the heat of the sun. Not to mention homes to the wildlife like squirrels, birds and chipmunks.

I don’t even mind  when I witness deer nibbling at my pear and apple trees. It happens! 

When the white birch tree in my front yard died several years ago I was bummed out.

It left a gaping hole in my front yard. And my heart.

​Because trees clean our air, protect our drinking water, create healthier communities and add unmatchable ambiance to outdoor spaces. 

So when the Arbor Day Foundation reached out offering a tree, I was ecstatic.

The one gallon white dogwood tree Arbor Day Foundation sent is spectacular…I think you’ll agree.

But what can the Arbor Day Foundation offer you? 

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The Arbor Day Foundation in a nutshell…

Founded in 1972, Arbor Day Foundation is a wonderful 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation and education organization. 

​With over million members, supporters, and valued partners today they have become the largest non-profit organization dedicated to planting trees.

​And don’t you love their mission statement?

​”We inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.” 

So let’s plant a few trees this fall with Arbor Day! 

You can actually join this wonderful group by becoming a member! Members get “The Tree Book” with planting and care information, the Arbor Day newsletter, and discounts on certain trees.

​New members also receive 10 free trees! And memberships start at just 10 bucks. Are you in or what!! 

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I use my fingers to gently untangle the roots getting them ready to go spread their wings deep into the ground!

Fall is fantastic for tree planting!

Fall can be the ideal time to plant a tree. 

In the fall, the tree can concentrate on growing big, strong roots with no worries about making or feeding leaves.

Big, bad roots diving deep into the ground is the goal!

The tree stands a great chance of building solid roots before before they need to collect water and nutrients for the leaves in spring. 

I especially love fall for tree planting because too many other gardening tasks are demanding my time and attention in spring.

There’s a whole vegetable garden to plant. Not to mention annuals around the yard and the perennial beds to tackle.

But in the fall, I can focus on my newly planted trees ensuring they get enough water.

This makes planting trees fun and enjoyable for the whole family!

In fall I’m less stressed out and with cooler temps my newly planted tree is less stressed.

​We all win.  

Check out my tree planting video!

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Because that’s the key to success for fall plantings. Water. Water. Water.

For fall plantings to work, the tree does need to get enough water right up until the ground freezes. 

​The watering requirements in the fall are much lower with fewer leaves on the tree.

Still, you want to be gauging water levels the first year of a newly planted tree with the first six months recovery period being the most vital.  

Mulch is a close second to water. It’s vital to aid in water retention.

Mulch also comes to the rescue preventing the deadly freeze and thaw cycle that lead to heaving. 

We feel cool in the fall layering on that J. Crew sweater, but the trees love falls cooler temps. Roots grow best in cool soil. 
​

After those roots have spread their wings in fall, the tree will go dormant in winter and be waiting for you in spring!

​So if you’re still able to get a spade in the ground, don’t hesitate to plant a tree before the frost comes. ​

Watering tip: Create a water-holding basin around the hole and give the tree a good watering. After the water has soaked in spread 2-4 inches of protective mulch in a 3-foot diameter area around the base of the tree. Just don’t touch the trunk with the mulch! 
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Carefully slide the tree from the container. Don’t yank the tree out as this can separate the roots from the tree!

Container tip: Don’t yank the tree out of the container as this can separate the roots from the tree. Sometimes trees grown in pots become root-bound or the roots look like they’re about to circle the root ball. If this describes your tree….cut an X across the bottom of the root ball and four vertical slices along the sides of the root ball with a clean and sharp knife! 

Potted trees for the win! 

I’ve planted with success both potted and bare root varieties of trees and shrubs.

There’s plenty of pros and cons to both for sure. 

One huge advantage with potted plants is that you can delay planting a little longer.

​After all, they’ve been at the nursery how long? But bare root plants must go down under immediately, no stalling!

​And for trees and shrubs with more with delicate root systems, potted has always been a better bet for me.

Depending on climate, especially if you’re in a more southern location, pot grown plants can be planted year-round whereas bare root favor spring. 

Year-round availability means potted plants are more readily accessible unlike bare-root plants that are sold only during their period of dormancy. 

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Why I’m smitten with Arbor Day Foundation

I fell head over heels for Arbor Day for two good reasons. The price. Followed closely with the selection.

With over 200 trees to choose from this fall, the sky is the limit of what you can plant. 

Confession time? My hesitation in filling the spot in the front yard came down to price. I just didn’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a tree.

​Sure, the nursery trees were huge, but that also meant I had to deal with planting a huge tree. I just wasn’t up for that task. 

The one-gallon sized trees from Arbor Day just fit the bill. Spot-on size. 

So from Arbor Day, you are getting a manageable tree to plant and water. 

​With three small kids, I’ve got laundry, dinner and school to deal with. No doubt, your schedule is equally hectic. 

Tree planting must be fun and easy and with Arbor Day it was!  Watch your thumbs go green with Arbor Day! 

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Carefully remove the tree from the container leaving the soil around the roots intact. It helps to tap the outside of the container to loosen the edge!

Arbor Day Tree Wizard to the rescue….

You want to plant a tree but have no idea what to plant? Are you with me?

Arbor Day has this tree finding tool on the website that will wow you. 

Hardiness zone. Check.

Tree Preferences. Evergreen? Nut? Flowering? Fruit? Shade? Ornamental? Shrub? Check. 

Soil type. Acidic? Clay? Alkaline? Sandy? Wet? Loamy? Well-drained? Drought tolerant? All? Check.

Sun exposure. Full-sun? Partial-shade? Full-shade? Check. 

Specifications. Height? Spread? Growth rate? Check. 

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The tree finding tool takes all the guesswork out of tree selection. It’s kind of like an online tree dating service!

​Arbor Day will find you the tree that works with your lifestyle and climate!  

​Are you specifically looking for a tree that grows faster. Smaller. Taller. Shorter. Fat. Skinny. The Tree Wizard will answer all these questions for you.  

So you are out of luck folks if that was your excuse for not planting trees this fall.

Let’s seize the day and plant a tree before the frost comes.

Don’t you wish choosing a college, car or career were this easy? 

Your heart is going to flutter come spring with the new trees in your yard~ they add so much ambiance! 

Like financial investing, you put a tiny little effort now and reap huge rewards in spring with big blossoms and lush leaves!

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Cast aside those fall planting fears….

Is is too late to plant in fall? Quick answer. Nope. 

​Of course fall planting is contingent on your climate but most can plant a tree until the ground is frozen solid.

For many of us this means we can plant right up to early to mid-December.

Let it be known that I got so behind on garden tasks one year that I planted fall bulbs in January.

​Getting that spade into the ground was hard…the struggle is real!  The bulbs still popped up for me in spring. 

And it’s worth repeating to remind you to water right up until the ground freezes and mulch around your newly planted tree to retain that water.

Arbor Day advises us to check soil moisture with a garden towel by digging a 2-inch trench around the bottom of the tree.

If the soil is wet to the touch~ you’re golden. If not, get busy with the hose!

Avoid watering so much that you see standing water. After all, none of us likes wet feet!  

Going into winter means your tree is going into dormancy, a nice long sleep until spring.

But your heart will skip a beat when you see the blooms and berries of spring and summer.

​Until then Happy planting! 

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about laura sproull

about laura sproull

Hi! I'm Laura and hail from Western New York. I consider myself a lifelong learner who loves gardening with a 360 degree view. Thanks for stopping by!

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