From: "Tom Eisenman" 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: where to get tree-planting info?
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2003 07:19:38 -0400

A 6 foot tree will probably catch up in size to the 12 foot tree in a couple
or three years.  Smaller trees transplant better than bigger ones.  As for
planting, dig a hole about twice the diameter of the root ball of the tree
you are planting.  Make sure that the tree will not sit deeper that it was
when it was grown in the nursery.  Remove the root ball wrapping completely
if you can or slash it in many places.  I once removed some yew that had
been planted six years earlier. Most of the roots were still inside the
tight burlap wrapper that had been left on when they were planted.   Put a
few shovelfuls of  composted cow manure in the hole and mix it with some of
the soil.  Place the tree in the hole at the right depth and refill the
hole.  Water generously.  Keep an eye on the moisture of the soil for the
first couple of years, watering whenever conditions get dry.  Here in
Massachusetts you wouldn't have had to water at all this summer!


Think about what your tree will look like when it is 50 years old.  I'm not
a fan of spruce trees used in suburban settings.  They grow too large for a
typical lot under two acres and cast a too dense shade.  For ideas, visit
some college campuses. They usually have knowledgeable grounds crews so they
are sing plants that will do well in the area. (There are many colleges in
Massachusetts!)  Look at plants that have been used in situations similar to
those in your yard.  What are the colleges planting to hide air conditioning
machinery, euipment buildings and such?  Be aware, though, that a college
campus is bigger than your yard. You might notice that the college has
actually used spruces to screen a garage but do six spruces fill up a half
acre of ground?

"Cynic"  wrote in message news:v93fc91to1jnc8@corp.supernews.com...
> Does anyone know where I can go to get the following info:
> I'm attempting to make some privacy in my backyard this spring by planting
> some trees.  I am having a landscaper put in a couple of 12' - 14' spruce
> trees.  However, we are also going to need a few 6' (or so) trees.  We're
> short on $$, so we were thinking of putting in the small trees ourselves.
> Any suggestions on where I can find info on what type of equipment we may
> need, etc.?
>
> NOTE: I live in Massachusetts.
>
> Thanks.
>
>