San Antonio Forest
Est. 1998
Tree Selection
Selecting the proper tree is crucial for the longevity and health of your tree.
Below are several guidelines to follow to ensure successful tree selection:
Always select a species native to or adapted to the region. The Rule of Thumb is to select a plant that originated within a 100-mile radius of the planting site. If you don't know whether a species is native to or adapted to the region, species lists are available from the Extension Service or the Texas Forest Service.
Always select a plant that has branches at least halfway up the trunk and no more than one trunk. In other words, no lollipop trees or double trunks allowed!
Always select a plant which has a large root ball or been grown in an adequate container. Remember - roots are essential for plant life! The more roots, the greater the success for plant survival.
Planting and Planting Location
No magic chants or mystical charts are required to ensure tree survival. Follow these simple steps and your tree will thank you:
Wider IS better! Dig a hole or even simply rototill or spade an area 2 to 5 times the width of the root ball.
Never dig the hole deeper than the depth of the root ball.
Always remove the twine or nylon and the burlap if a tree is balled & burlapped.
Mix into the backfill a SMALL AMOUNT of compost (<20%) and slow release fertilizer (8-10 oz.). Scientific research has demonstrated that the original soil is best for backfill.
Mulch the top of the soil backfill with 2-3 inches of woodchips or pine bark in a three foot radius
Water in everything; never tamp down the soil. Stake only if really necessary.
For maximum energy savings and minimum maintenance costs, plant trees at the following locations:
For trees which mature greater than 60 feet, plant a minimum 20 feet from a building and 40 feet apart.
For trees which mature between 30 and 60 feet, plant a minimum 15 feet from a building and 35 feet apart
For trees which mature less than 30 feet, plant a minimum 10 feet from a building and 15 feet apart.
Plant trees no less than 15 feet from a driveway, 10 feet from a utility pole, and 30 feet from an intersection.
Scientific research has demonstrated that two deciduous trees on both the east and west sides of a house provided the maximum energy savings.
Tree Maintenance
For ease and minimal expense, tree maintenance is as simple as counting one, two, three, four, five!
1. Water: Water 3 gallons per inch of trunk diameter at the tree's dripline whenever the soil is dry. Large native trees generally never have to be watered.
2. Mulch: Mulch with woodchips or pine bark whenever and wherever possible. A six-foot diameter mulched area is the minimum, but for maximum growth remove all the grass and mulch the entire yard!!!
3. Fertilizer: Fertilize the dripline and beyond with a 3-1-1 ratio slow release fertilizer once every three years.
4. Prune: Prune every four to six years removing no more 1/4 of the canopy. Maintain a single trunk and leave 50% or more of the leaves in the lower canopy. NEVER top a tree!
5. Pests: Control pests only when biologically harmful to the tree. Always remember that healthy trees tolerate a small amount of infestation, so keep the trees healthy by adhering to the previous four. Always use the least toxic pesticide alternative first; then proceed to next toxic alternative if necessary. For example, webworms - first manually open the nests, then the bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis, finally carbaryl (Sevin) if necessary.
Our thanks to:
Mark A. Peterson, Texas Forest Service, Regional Urban Forester
