Star Magnolia - Overlook Rd
Tree Selection
For an in-depth discussion of the many things to consider when choosing a tree, take a look at the Trees Are Good website of the International Society of Arboriculture. Here you will find the questions to ask yourself that will guide you towards making the right choice for your particular situation.
Tree Planting
Again, the Trees Are Good website provides detailed instructions on how to plant a tree, from digging the hole to watering once the tree is in the ground.
Note that the trunk flare should be just visible above the ground after planting. If your tree is balled-and-burlapped, you will need to undo the burlap before you can see the flare. Also, you will likely need to remove the top few inches of soil around the trunk before the flare is visible. The same may be true for a container-grown tree, but this is less likely.
All nylon wrapping, plastic and wire cages should be completely removed, once the tree is in the hole. If the root ball is hard to maneuver or is in danger of collapse, natural burlap may be left in place around the lower half of the root ball. It should be cut away from the top half so that roots can grow out freely into the soil.
After planting, be sure to remove from the tree all ties and tags that might ultimately constrict the trunk or limbs as they grow.
This Old House has produced several slide shows and videos relating to the planting of trees. Here are some links:
Maintenance
In the absence of rain, a newly planted tree should be watered at least once a week, and more frequently when the weather is hot. Slow, deep watering is best to allow the water to soak through to the bottom of the root ball. The goal is to keep the soil just moist at all times. Watering should continue into the fall, if there is little or no rain. This same pattern of watering should be repeated the following year. Thereafter, watering should only be necessary when the weather is particularly hot and dry.
Once your tree is established, little care is needed beyond light pruning to remove winter damage and, as the tree ages, some corrective pruning to shape its growth. An occasional application of compost over the root zone is all that is typically needed in the way of fertilizer.
If you decide to hire someone to do the work for you, we recommend hiring a Massachusetts certified arborist.
