Tree Planting: Three Important Considerations Before Planting

Planting trees is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, bring some life into your yard space, and encourage your own self-sustaining microbiome. You’d think it would be easy enough, but there are some things to consider before going out and planting random trees everywhere. Here are three important factors to think about before planting trees in Kansas. Tree Planting: Choosing The Right Tree For The Right Space Choosing the right tree for the right space sounds pretty self-explanatory, but there are some things to consider that you may not have thought about before:

• Local Climate: The local climate has a lot to do with how healthy a tree will be once planted. For example, you wouldn’t want to plant palm trees in Alaska because it’s too cold for them to survive there. Certain trees are common in your area for a reason.
• Soil Type: Soil type is a factor people often forget about before planting trees. The type of soil in your space directly affects the health and performance of plant life. Getting your soil tested for things like pH, calcium levels, and texture can help you determine which trees will flourish most in your space.
• Available Space: This is fairly self-explanatory, but you want to remember that trees will grow year over year, and thinking about a species’ growth rate and mature size is crucial to determining whether it will fit in your landscape.
• Sunlight & Water Requirements: If you have a tree that requires lots of water and sunlight, you need to be able to give it lots of water and sunlight–it’s pretty simple. Assess your yard and see if you have obstructions like plants, structures, or accessibility issues that would prevent you from giving your tree what it needs.
• Maintenance: All plant life requires some sort of maintenance–are you up to the challenge?

Tree Planting Aftercare & Maintenance It’s no secret that newly planted trees will need a little bit more aftercare and maintenance in their early years of growth. If you’re wondering whether it’s too much for you to take on, here’s what you can expect to do to properly look after your new trees:

• Regular Watering: Like any other plant life, new trees require frequent watering. For about the first two weeks after planting, most trees need to be watered once per day and then every 2-3 days for the next 3-12 weeks. You will have to monitor your tree to make sure it’s receiving the right amount of water.
• Mulching: Mulching is crucial for new tree growth. It provides so many benefits: soil improvement, moisture conservation, weed prevention, temperature regulation, erosion protection, and key nutrients.
• Stress Monitoring: Yes, plants feel stress, too. However, their particular stressors come in the form of pests, diseases, and fungi. You’ll want to monitor your trees frequently after planting to make sure they’re not succumbing to any of these stressors.
• Pruning: While in-depth pruning should wait until the second or third year of growth, new trees do require the removal of dead, broken, or diseased branches in order to flourish.

Most Common Trees To Plant In Kansas To help you get started planning out your yard space, here’s a list of some of the most common trees to plant in Kansas, along with the benefits of planting each:

1. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) Eastern Redbuds are awesome starter trees if you’re just getting into tree planting. They can go almost anywhere because they tolerate such a wide range of soil types, and you also reap the benefits of planting them early, as they bloom early in the season.
2. Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) Bur Oaks are another species that is highly adaptable to various soil conditions. Additionally, these trees provide excellent shade, so if shade is something you’re looking to incorporate into your yard space, Bur Oaks may be a good place to start.
3. Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) Hackberry trees are simply durable; Kansas landscapes tend to struggle with drought, wind, and poor soil already, but if you have a particularly hard struggle with any of these stressors, Hackberry trees are a very tolerant variety that will do well in your yard.
4. American Elm (Ulmus americana) American Elms are known for simply being a pretty tree, and they have other great benefits, such as their ability to provide shade. On top of that, new disease-resistant cultivars are also available.
5. Red Maple (Acer rubrum) Red Maple trees are a staple tree for landscapes that have trouble with drainage; they tolerate wet soils well, so you don’t have to worry too much about installing intricate drainage systems in order to house trees on your property. Plus, they provide beautiful fall colors.
6. Chinkapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) Chinkapin Oaks are great for soils that are a little more alkaline, as they tolerate alkaline soils well. They also provide good habitats for wildlife, so if you’re looking for a little more wild action in your backyard, this is a great place to start.
7. Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) Contrary to its name, Bald Cypress trees add quite a unique texture to landscapes. They’re adaptable, too; they thrive in both wet and dry conditions.
8. Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) Serviceberry trees, on the other hand, really live up to their name. They provide flowers and berries for multiple seasons and have some incredible fall colors.

9. Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) Northern Catalpas are the epitome of function meeting aesthetics–they tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, and they also provide unique ornamental features with their flowers, heart-shaped leaves, and flaky bark.
10. Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) Kentucky Coffeetrees are another great beginner tree. They’re adaptable to various soil types, and once they’re established, they’re incredibly low-maintenance.

Conclusion Tree planting is an awesome way to both improve your landscape’s aesthetics and your carbon footprint simultaneously. Plus, if you have drainage problems, soil erosion issues, or air quality problems, planting trees is one of the best solutions. If you’re new to the tree-planting game, now you have lots of things to talk about when you consult a professional tree planter in your area–you’re one step closer to a multi-functional and appealing yard.