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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-04-26, Page 59Page 26 • OW to grow a tree: a s 1 unp e guide Whether they're majesti- cally tall and. imposing, or short, sprightly and sassy—whether they pro- duce sweetly -perfumed flowers, or luscious -tasting fruit—all trees have their own personality, and can add something special to the landscape. So, it's important to select a tree carefully to make sure it will create the picture you have in mind. And, it's even more important to make sure you plant them correctly, or you'll end up with no picture at all, according to the new Ortho hook. "The World of Trees. If you're careless, you'll probably have to bury your tree before you get the chance to plant it! Most trees are watered every day, while at the nursery, and they should receive the same con- sideration once you. bring them home. When you're ready to plant, prepare a hole at least 12 inches wider and 6 inches deeper than the spread and depth of your tree's root system. While digging, set aside the top 6 inches of soil in one pile, and most of the subsoil in another; then place the last few shovelfulS of soil into a third pile which will later be used for building --a- dike around a watering basin. The next step is to mix "root zone" soil for your tree by combining equal parts of organic matter, like mois- tened peat moss. with the top soil you have saved. You must also mix a -transition soil," using. one part organic matter to four parts of sub- soil. Before adding any of the mixtures, loosen the..soil...in. the 'bottom of the hole to Planting a bare -root tree (from the Ortho book, "The World of Trees") Do not prune Planting hole should be at least 12 inches wider and 6 leader or small twigs inches deeper•than the spread and depth of the root system. Subsoil Topsoil Keep roots covered Soil for dike Existing soil allow for root penetration and better drainage—then, line the hole with 4 to 6 inches of "transition soil." 'Next., using the "root zone" soil, make a cone- shaped mound directly on top of the "transition soil," and set the roots of your tree over this mound. Now that your tree is posi- tioned in the planting hole. make sure that it's placed at Transition soil Existing soil the same depth at which it originally grew, which will be eyident from the soil -stained ring at the base of its trunk. Then, work 2 or 3 shovel- fuls of' root zone" soil under and around the roots to elim- inate air pockets in the plant- ing hole. • Before you add more soil, you'll have to stake your'tree • for support. Simply drive a stake that s approximately 2 Prune here Wire through garden hose (forming "figure 8") 2" x 2" stake in direction of prevailing wind Add "roof zone" soil to form a cone Line hole with 4" - 6" of "transition zone" soil Burlap or tree wrap paper inches wide, 2 inches thick, and about .6 to 8 feet long, into the soil about 6 inches' away from the trunk, on the side of the prevailing wind. Then, fill the rest of the hole. Build a watering basin with the soil you've saved by plac- ing a dike 4 to 5 inches high in a circle 2 to 3 feet away from Trees"not only for beauty's the tree trunk. . sake, but to balance the top .Finally, secure your tree to of theypung tree with its re - the stake by threadm a 1-- duced root system. Existing soil gauge wire through a short length of garden hose and twisting the, wire around the trunk of the tree and the stake already placed. in the form of a figure 8. Now that your tree is se- curely planted, it's a good idea to prune it, according to .Ortho's "The World of MEMBER Huron Landscaping° LANDSCAPE OF mom= tommir -ww Pruning — trees and shrubs SURFACE PAVING — patio stone, interiodcing stone, brick SODDING AND SEEDING FENCING — rail style R. R. 7 Lucknow, Ontario ONTARIO Phone 529-7247 RAILWAY TIES — planters, retaining walls, play structures, edging PLANTING— trees, shrubs, ground cover, hedges WEED & INSECT SPRAYING — 100 gal. and back sprayers LAWN rolling, fertilizing '1! SUPPLIERS OF peat moss, bonemeal, grass seed, fertilizer -7sEA A7e- EE S SHRUBS 4 miles south of Lucknow on Huron County Road No. I Open 7 days a week • / Proprietors - Steve Cashel( and Greg Afton