Plant care

Tree2mydoor specialise in supplying the highest quality living plants to all of our customers. All plants are sent out in top condition and so its of real importance to ensure that you understand how to care for your plants upon reciept.
Please use this resource to find out about care of your tree2mydoor product.

Saplings and wildflowers

Getting It right first time

Whether or not your planting scheme is being grant aided by the Forestry Commission, failure to establish woodlands at the outset results in the need to replace dead trees and extended weeding and protection programmes. This costs time, money and effort. And the original objectives of the planting scheme are unlikely to be met. Forestry Commission surveys repeatedly show that the most successful schemes are those where the job was got right first time without any necessity to go back and replace trees which have failed. Think about the costs over the 3-5 year establishment period - not just the first year.

Pointers for successful tree & wildflower establishment

Choose the best and forget the rest

• Sturdy plants with fibrous roots will survive and grow better than spindly plants
• Avoid ‘J’ rooted plants - they are more difficult to plant correctly
• Cell grown plants can also be planted outside the normal planting season
• Genetically improved seed sources are a sound investment for the future
• Plan ahead - keep your nurseryman informed of your plans

Treat your trees like Bone China - a little TLC goes a long way

• Don’t allow plants to be thrown around on site
• Store plants out of drying winds & under shade to protect against freezing or over heating
• Plants arriving on site and not in bags or boxes should be protected from browsing by vermin
• Use a purpose designed planting bag to protect delicate root systems

Give your trees the best start

• Plant trees when soils are moist and free from frost
• Cultivated soils will generally provide a better medium for root development and plant growth
• Cover the root plug with 25mm of soil; firm the soil well around the roots
• Take advantage of micro sites suitable for planting; avoid wet hollows and tree stumps

Bugs & Beasties abound - even if you think you haven’t any!

• Shelters offer certain advantages, but think about fencing for larger areas
• Don’t forget vermin from neighbouring properties and use an appropriately sized shelter
• Shelters are not maintenance free; budget for maintenance and then do it!
• Consider using insecticide treated trees when restocking conifer stands

Weeds are your plant’s worst enemy

• Weeds compete for water and nutrients in the rooting zone of young plants, restricting their growth
• Tall weeds, especially bracken, can collapse and smother young trees
• If using chemicals to weed young trees remember to protect the trees from spray drift
• Maintain a 1 metre diameter weed free spot around the tree - remember to check inside shelters!!

Planting Cell Grown Plants

The uniform, compact size of cell grown plants makes the planting considerably easier than the planting of bare-root stock where long straggling root systems all too often become the victim of a sharpened spade.

The type of planting tool to be used for any type of stock is influenced by local planting conditions and personal preference of the planter.

A traditional planting spade is quite adequate for planting cell grown plants

1. Insert spade vertically, push back and forward slightly and then twist through 180 degrees. IIn heavy clay it may be necessary to insert again at 90 degrees to the first cut and twist again.
2. Place plant at correct depth - top of plug half an inch BELOW the level of surrounding ground.Insert spade about 5cms toward the planter and pull handle toward planter to firm soil at bottom of plug and close any air pocket.
3. Push handle forward to firm soil at top of plug.
4. Close ground with toe - taking care not to scuff the plant.

When planted make sure the top of the plug is at least 2-4cms below the surrounding soil surface and covered by soil. This will prevent drying of the root plug.

When to Plant

Cell grown plants are supplied with their root systems completely in tact and surrounded by protective compost and wrapping, so they can be planted out into any moist ground at virtually any time of the year. We always urge caution where young plants are just resuming growth in the spring as there is a high water demand imposed upon the root systems. However, provided there is adequate moisture to sustain growth demands, there is no reason why successful plantings cannot be achieved all year round.

September and October are ideal times of the year as the shoots are starting to close down for the winter but the roots remain very active. This enables the plants to become established before winter sets in and allows them to get off to a flying start in the following spring.

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