Atkins Tree Farm

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    • our trees
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    • watering & planting
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303.986.9180

Atkins Tree Farm

Atkins Tree FarmAtkins Tree FarmAtkins Tree Farm
  • Home
  • our trees
  • pricing
  • watering & planting
  • CONTACT

WATERING YOUR NEWLY PLANTED TREE

     The goal with newly planted trees is to keep the ground moist. We do not recommend watering by the calendar (e.g. "every third day") because it depends on soil conditions and weather. When it's hot water will evaporate more quickly; with clay soil water will soak in more slowly; with sandy soil it will dissipate faster.

     We suggest you check the ground often (every day if possible). You should be able to form a soft ball with the dirt a few inches below the surface. When the area starts to dry, use a slow running hose (not a sprinkler system) laid near the trunk of the tree to fill the berm that was created during planting. Build the berm back up when it falls apart. Also, do not put anything on top of the rootball (mulch, flowers, rocks, etc).

     Continue to check the soil often, and water again when the ground starts to dry. You should expect to water more often in the hot summer months, then taper off as the weather cools. Deeper, less frequent waterings are helpful in allowing water to soak down to the roots.

     Winter watering is also important. Plan to water at least once a month during the winter. Snow is not sufficient because one foot of snow equals only one inch of rain.

     Do not fertilize your tree for the first year. Fertilizer stimulates top growth and robs roots of the energy they need to reestablish themselves.

     Remove stakes after one year.

     Trees that get stressed over extended dry periods don't do well for a couple of years. A few hours of care the first year will reward you for many years to come.



PLANTING BALLED & BURLAPPED TREES

 85% - 95% of roots are removed when a tree is dug for transplanting. Therefore, the idea when planting trees is to promote rapid re-growth of roots and to reduce stress imposed by the moving process.

  • Do not dig the hole too deep. Keep 2-3 inches of the root ball above ground level. It is best for the tree to sit on undisturbed soil. Do not backfill the hole to raise the tree, as the dirt may settle and allow water to collect that could drown the tree.
  • Leave the dirt near the hole, because it will be used to plant the tree and build a berm around the root ball. 
  • A saucer-shaped hole dug generously wider than the root ball will allow the root system to grow rapidly before being slowed by original site soil.
    • Maintain oxygen in the soil by leaving the top of the rootball uncovered (no mulch, rocks, grass, etc) and give roots room to grow into un-compacted soil by watering sufficiently.
    • Use a stake on each side of the tree to hold it firmly
    • Space according to tree's growth rate and pattern.
    • Soil varies widely in Colorado, so there is no uniform technique for planting, but:
      • In clay soils the top of the root ball should sit 2"-3" above surrounding grade
      • In sandy soils, 1" above grade


Watch this YouTube video to see how it's done: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oac3rj7mIVw&list=PLh_npWO7v_u_KcTpgD5xltnWZtE1h7zwE&index=4&t=0s 

PLANTING ROOT CONTROL BAGS

 When you buy a tree grown in a root control bag you get over 80% of the roots. As a result, when the tree is planted it grows vigorously right away. Because the bag is full of fibrous roots, we can grow a larger tree and it will be several hundreds pounds lighter than a similar tree that is balled and burlapped. Many of our customers choose to plant their own trees, and one grown in a root control bag is much more manageable. There are lots of roots in the bag waiting to take off, so keeping your tree adequately watered after planting is the best way to ensure healthy survival. We recommending staking your new tree for one full year. Roots need oxygen, so do not put anything (mulch, rocks, grass, even dirt) on top of the rootball. See watering instructions below.  To find out how to plant, watch this short YouTube video:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPE20MhlisQ


 

PLANTING FROM PLASTIC POTS

The procedure for planting trees that are in plastic pots is similar to root control bags as described above. However, there are a few differences so please watch this YouTube video to learn the details. Important similarities are that you should stake the tree and not put anything (mulch, rocks, grass, dirt) on top of the rootball so that oxygen can reach the roots.


 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2N22vu8AFE&feature=youtu.be 

 

Atkins Tree Farm

8890 W Hampden Ave, Lakewood CO 80227

303.986.9180

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