While the primary job of roots is to bring water and nutrients from the soil into a plant, they have a very important secondary function. Roots anchor a plant. With all the weight and wind resistance of a big canopy (on both trees and larger shrubs), strong roots are necessary to hold the plant upright. Cutting away big anchor roots growing on one side of an existing tree to put a sidewalk, driveway or foundation for a house in place, may be a recipe for disaster. It is wiser to take a large, old tree down if its roots are in the path of such construction. Don’t risk the possibility of a tree with no support roots on one side falling over sometime in the future.
Tree experts now advise making the planting hole for trees or shrubs three to five times as wide as a woody plant’s root ball to encourage good root development to all sides. Old time tree lore incorrectly assumed roots grew out from a trunk as far as the outer tips of above-ground branches. (This was referred to as the “drip line.”) Modern day arbor research has proved tree roots extend out to all sides far beyond the drip line. Think about that when selecting the right spot to put your new tree. Don’t site a tree which will be big at maturity within 15 feet of a vegetable plot or flower bed. If you do, tree roots will probably grow into the garden.
Experts recommend you not fertilize newly transplanted trees (not at installation nor during two years after transplant) and shrubs (no fertilizer at installation and not during first year in new location). Reminder: Nitrogen fertilizer is not recommended for established trees and shrubs between Aug. 1 and Nov. 15 in Tennessee.
Organic soil amendments add tiny air pockets within soil that improve movement of air, water, dissolved soil minerals and nutrients. That is a good thing. It is okay to dig or till then add peat moss, compost or other amendments to a large area in your landscape prior to planting trees and shrubs there or making a bed or border for herbaceous perennials in that spot.
However, digging a planting hole just larger than the transplant’s root system and adding amendments to the backfill dirt is not recommended. Amending the soil in just the planting hole creates a difference in texture between surrounding native soil and the growing medium where the roots are. In that situation, transplant roots tend to stay within the hole circling around like roots of a houseplant growing in pot that is too small. Stunting root development in this manner hurts the entire plant above ground level and below. Another problem is that rain and water from irrigation tends to pool in a planting hole that has much “fluffier” soil than the natural soil surrounding it. Drainage is a problem. The effect is similar to placing plant roots inside a big bowl of water. Too much water and too little air encourages disease problems like root rot, which can kill a new transplant in a relatively short time.
Once a woody ornamental is in place, improper staking may weaken stem/trunk development. Woody plant stems grow stronger if they are allowed to sway in the wind. Research indicates staking should be avoided. If a tree or shrub is staked, have enough slack in the supporting lines to let the plant move a bit. Use stretchy straps rather than wires or rope that may cut into tender bark on young tree and shrub stems. Thin bark on transplant stems is also easily damaged by weed whackers or mower decks. Use a circle of mulch about 3 feet all around a transplant’s stem to keep weeds and grass from growing there.
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Plateau Gardening is written by Master Gardeners for those tending home landscapes and gardens in Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland Region. Contact UT Extension Cumberland County, P.O. Box 483, Crossville, TN 38557, (phone 931-484-6743) for quick answers to specific questions, free publications, or to learn about becoming a Master Gardener. Email comments or yard and garden inquiries to Master Gardener Rae, mgardenerrae@frontiernet.net.
Glade Sun
More transplant tips for woody landscape plants
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FG First Baptist Church all smiles as their 'ship comes in'
Fairfield Glade First Baptist Church was right in the path of the right-of-way for the new widening project for Peavine Road. With a new site selected and the new church building well under way, on Feb. 6, TDOT officially presented Fairfield Glade First Baptist Church a check for $1,435,550 for their property.
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SMHS Rocket Club visits FG Rotary
Fairfield Glade Rotary Club warmly welcomed eight accomplished Stone Memorial High School students. The members of the SMHS Rocket Club team presented a detailed account of their most recent competition in the Team America Rocketry Challenge National Finals in Washington D.C.
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Dr. Smith to speak Feb. 15 on women's health
William E. Smith, MD, will speak on women’s health on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at a free Community Seminar, in the conference room at the Cumberland Medical Center Wellness Complex in Crossville, at 130 Woodmere Mall, on Hwy. 127. Non members of the facility are welcome.
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Lake Tansi resident wins Holiday Challenge drawing
Betty Smith of Lake Tansi won a six-month membership for the Cumberland Medical Center Wellness Complex at Crossville because she successfully completed a Holiday Challenge to maintain or lose weight from Nov. 24 through Jan. 4.
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Read the latest edition of "The Bulletin"
The Crossville Chronicle-Glade Sun also publishes a newsletter called "The Bulletin" in which you'll find a schedule of Glade activities and events, a restaurant and dining guide, golf information, and even tour schedules. Click here for the latest PDF edition of "The Bulletin."
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Playhouse favorite Daniel Black to appear this Sunday at the Southern Stars Concert
The Southern Stars Symphonic Brass will be presenting their second concert in the Crossville Music Series on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 3:30 p.m. in the beautiful auditorium at Stone Memorial High School.
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Iles is Lions Student of the Month for January
Cumberland County High School senior Dimi Iles has been honored by the Fairfield Glade Lions Club as January “Student of the Month.” She was selected by Guidance Counselor Robin Hull to be so honored by the Lions Club.
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Three musicians join Big Band Sound
Two talented Tennessee Technological University students and a veteran drummer have joined the ranks of the Big Band Sound. They are Kurt Snider, Brant Poindexter and Sarah Ransom.
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Avalon Center asks you to "Let Your Heart Rule" in February
In 2010 Congress began dedicating the entire month of February to Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, a national effort to raise awareness about abuse in youth relationships and promote programs intended to help youth with teen dating violence issues. Throughout February, individuals and many organizations nationwide highlight the need to educate young people about healthy relationships, teach healthy relationship skills and prevent the devastating cycle of abuse.
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ENJOYING NATURE: How ‘fur’ would you go to get a great coat?
I saw in one of the magazines, that I sometimes read, that the Tennessee Fur Harvesters Association was having a fur sale in Crossville. “Fur harvesters” is another word for trappers. Trappers try to catch fur bearing animals like coyote, mink, and beaver for fun and profit. I talked Gary into going with me to see what we could learn.
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