Acquiring Healthy Trees and Shrubs
Our latest book review comes from the Ortho’s All About series. Ortho’s All About: Flowering Trees and Shrubs covers many different topics, but one in particular that we thought would be beneficial for you is the topic on acquiring trees and shrubs. Below you will find a small excerpt from book providing an overview of the purchasing process and things you should look for and be aware of to ensure you acquire the perfect trees and shrubs.
“SOURCES: You can buy plants from garden centers, retail nurseries, or mail-order catalogs. Garden centers sell plants grown by wholesale nurseries, whereas retail nurseries grow at least some of the plants they sell and may also offer landscape design and installation services. Most mail-order firms pack and ship plants well and at the right time for planting, and may offer plants that r re not available locally, but few sell large trees. Many gardeners buy from both local retail outlets and mail-order firms PREPARATION FOR SALE: Trees and shrubs are sold in different ways. Some are dug with bare roots, stored moist, and wrapped for sale. Others are dug with a soil ball, wrapped with burlap, and kept moist. Others are containerized-dug with a so ball, then potted in a container for sale. Still others are grown in containers-potted as a small plant and grown in the container fora year or more. The method used depends on the age and kind of plant, the season, and the nature of the retail outlet. SIZE: Starting with a large plant may seem like the best way to have immediate impact, but this is not always true. Smaller plants become established more easily and may outpace a larger plant started at the same time. It's more important to select for condition than size. BARE-ROOT TREES AND SHRUBS: The best bare-root trees are young; avoid older trees with hare roots. Plant bare-root trees and shrubs while they are fully dormant – before buds begin to swell and expand into leaves. Many retailers buy bare-root trees in late winter; they may sell some bare-root, and plant the rest in containers (which adds to the price) to sell later. Buy containerized plants after they have begun to leaf out, to be sure they will grow.” Reference: Flint, Harrison L. Ortho's All about Flowering Trees & Shrubs. Meredith Books, 2002. |
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