Planting Instructions
Check your plants for damage or discrepancies upon arrival. Seedlings are dormant, and may appear "dead" to some. A simple scratch test using your fingernail at the bottom of the tree trunk will show you that there is green inside the trunks. Count your trees, one bundle of 10 can appear to some as only 1 tree, unwrap the trees, count them. If you ordered several bundles of the same item, we may wrap them in larger quantities than 10 for faster shipping times. Refer to your Packing slip prior to contacting us.
If you have received bare root material, soak the roots for 48 hours in water to help them break dormancy. If you have plug material, there is no need to soak them. Trees can easily take several weeks to begin coming out of dormancy after you receive them, be patient and keep watering.
Dig a hole 1 foot deep and 1 foot wide. Spacing is 10 feet for trees, 3 for shrubs. Space rows 8 feet apart. Many clients like to use a post hole auger to save their backs.
When planting, place the seedling inside the hole you have dug and make sure the roots are set out in a natural fashion (if bare root), spread out and arranged in a downward orientation. Plant the tree deep enough, where the roots meet the crown of the tree (tree collar) To make sure the tree is planted well, simply pack the soil around the roots firmly. You may add bone meal at the bottom of the hole to enhance growth, or use a shrub and tree fertilizer of your choice. You can also help your tree grow faster by mixing potting soil into your hole if the ground is particularly tough. Do not use more than 30% compost in a soil mixture, as it makes it too salty for quality growth.
You may add a bone meal at the bottom of the hole to enhance growth or use a shrub and tree fertilizer of your choice. You can also help your tree grow faster by mixing potting soil into a tree hole if the ground is particularly tough. Do not use more than 30% compost in a soil mixture, as it makes it too salty for quality growth. Many clients like to use a post hole auger to dig the holes to save on body stress.
We recommend planting your trees right away. If you are unable to plant as soon as possible, we suggest storing them in a cool, dry place such as a garage or shop floor, away from sunlight and heat. To ensure the trees don't dry out, make sure to give them a sprinkle of water. Make sure they also have sufficient ventilation to prevent mold from growing. White mold is not harmful and can be wiped off.
We recommend to water MINIMUM once a week, and more in the hot months, such as July and August - it is up to your common-sense discretion. If your annual flowers are dry, so are your seedlings. It is paramount that your seedlings for the first and, or second year receive sufficient water. If they dry out, they can die once leafed out. These are very fragile trees, and they deserve your attention for the investment you have made. In the fall, make sure they have been watered in very well so right away in the spring, they have some moisture available to them
Keep the weeds away from your seedlings to prevent nutrient and water competition. 1 foot radius around the tree is best. Mulch can help keep the weeds down by preventing the light from penetrating the soil thus helping in weed seeds germinating. A tree and shrub fertilizer can be used, or a self releasing top dress fertilizer are the best options.
Due to the perishable nature of nursery stock, the effects of weather conditions, transplanting and care practises, we will not be responsible for losses after 7 days of receiving your shipment. We warrant the trees to be true to type and healthy when shipped. No replacements. trees@prairieshelterbeltprogram.ca is the most effective way to contact us during shipping season and the summer months.