TREE EDUCATION
Without proper planning, planting a sapling can end in disaster. To give your sapling the best chance at success, the planting process requires extreme care, concentration, and supervision. Factors such as location, sun exposure, and soil type will decide how well your sapling grows, and it is imperative that you consider each before embarking on your planting journey.
Our tree care specialists at SkyFrog Tree Service invite you to plant saplings, and with this step-by-step guide, we can help your young tree thrive for years to come.
In North Central Florida, conditions can be sandy, but some areas could feature clay or wetter soil types. Matching the species to the soil and site specifications enables your sapling to grow correctly. Our arborists typically plant red buckeye and various oak species, which are popular choices in North Central Florida.
Now that you've chosen your tree, it is essential to select an appropriate planting site. Now, before you decide on where to plant your sapling, consider the sun's path and confirm the placement allows for growth over its lifespan. As the sapling grows older, its roots will expand horizontally underground. Avoid crowding and keep in mind other surrounding plants or trees.
Digging wide is an integral part of planting your sapling correctly. The roots need to grip in the soil, allowing the sapling to expand underground. Refilling the hole with native soil and patting out any air pockets in the soil sets the sapling up for prosperity.
Pro Tip: When planting a sapling, don't dig deep. Instead, dig wide. Digging too deep can compromise the structural integrity of your sapling.
Consistently water your sapling for best results. For the first few years of a tree's life, it is a necessity to keep it watered, especially during dry periods. For the first two weeks, water daily to provide a sufficient base for the roots.
After the first 14 days, our certified arborists recommend watering your sapling once or twice a week until the fourth month. When watering, 10-15 gallons of water for a small sapling should suffice.
While it is important to keep up maintenance on your sapling, patience will pay dividends. Saplings take years to blossom and grow.
Over the first year, your sapling becomes established in the soil. An uptick in growth occurs when the roots become established, typically from years two to five. As year five approaches, the sapling reaches most of its functional size, bearing fruit, leaves and shade. It takes up to 15 years for a sapling to fully mature.
If you are unsure if your sapling is taking water, you can practice the finger test. Stick your fingers approximately three inches into the soil. If it's dry, your sapling needs to be watered.
Remember: Draining patterns are vital. Improper water practices can lead to stunted root growth, wilting, or even death in serious cases.
Yellow leaves on your sapling can be a result of nutritional deficiencies or overwatering.
If appropriate, a stake helps a sapling stand upright and protect the roots during the growth process. In addition to helping support the sapling structurally, the stake allows the roots to grow properly.
After one year, remove your stake to allow your sapling to grow on its own.
With over 40 years of tree care experience in North Central Florida, SkyFrog Tree Service can aid you in planting your saplings. Contact our tree care company today to discuss new tree establishment!
6115 SW 137th Avenue, Archer, FL 32618