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Tt: RE: October tree plantings
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That is a great idea to plant trees in the fall. I have been pushing that
for years, but most citizens don't want to think about that until the fall.
In most of the South, the ground never completely freezes and the roots
grow all winter and get well established before the hot summer requires
high uptake of water. I wish we could convince others to plant during the
fall.
-----Original Message-----
From: RT Ellsberry [SMTP:rtells@Flora.Com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 1997 12:21 AM
To: Community Forestry
Subject: Tt: October tree plantings
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Dear Treetown -
It's been discussed here before, that for us small-time trans-
planters Autumn can be a great time for getting trees into the
ground. This is mostly due to one very important point. Depen-
ding of course on one's geographical latitude, an autumnal trans-
plant can give you great feedback in just 4 or 5 months when it
leafs out and flowers in the spring. On the other hand, a 'normal'
spring planting might make you wait over a year to enjoy the same
beautiful results. Some trees are at their best in mid-winter,
when the Witch-Hazel blossoms bright yellow, and the colorful
Hawthorn berries provide food for the birds and other wildlife.
The squirrels are busy planting acorns all over the place (What
ecologist was it who wrote that 'most animals farm'?) ... But the
question is this: What tree species shouldn't be transplanted
in autumn, and what exactly are the reasons for this? Do they
fall into broad categories like 'Hemlock' and 'Magnolia' (I really
don't know) -- or are there particular varieties within the various
genera? Is there some characteristic that tells us that a
given species really will fair better from a spring planting?
Whatever the answer, MOST trees do just fine planting at this time.
In our hometown, Community Forestry activist Gary Letteron has esta-
blished a traditional October Tree Fest -- complete with piped-in
'Oom-Pah' music and German sausages. Last year inner-city kids
planted over 300 trees in Patterson Park, many of which are still
doing quite well (the trees, and the kids :) ...
R Tryzno Ellsberry
Treetown ListOp
Richard@Flora.Com
Baltimore / USDA Zone 7
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