October is Tree-Planting Time: Are You Ready?
It’s that time of year again, when foliage turns a wonderful golden color and the air carries a welcome crispness. If you live in San Jose or around the Bay Area, autumn also means light rain and mild weather, which makes it the perfect time for tree-planting. Rain will help the newly planted tree construct a healthy root system to support its foliage in the spring and survive the summer. Use this guide and the right rental equipment to give your sapling a healthy head start:
Preparation After you choose the perfect tree , finding a place for it requires some strategic thinking. Ask yourself where the sun shines most intensely and what area you want to be shaded. Choose a location at least 15 feet away from your home’s foundation and at least five feet away from any other surface structures. Before planting, rake up garden debris to keep insects and disease at bay.
Tools You won’t need to rent a heavy-duty excavator or a forklift for this job unless you’ll be planting multiple trees at one time, in which case, they’ll make your job much easier. If you want to keep it simple and only have one tree to plant, all you’ll need is a shovel and pick.
Planting Now for the fun! Dig a hole twice as wide as and slightly shallower than the root ball. If your sapling has been residing in a container, carefully lay the tree on its side and slide the container off. Lower the tree into the hole, being sure to position the tree’s roots spreading away from the trunk. Cover the opening with soil, leaving the top of the root ball exposed one inch above the surrounding soil surface. Pack the soil and stake the tree using tree ties to provide support.
With a little nurturing, your new tree will grow to provide shade and beauty for years to come. For all your lawn and garden needs, find the right tool for the job at A Tool Shed , serving San Jose, Campbell, Watsonville, Morgan Hill, Hollister, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz. Call us at (831) 359-4769 to learn more about our wide selection of rental tools and equipment at six convenient locations.