New Tree Planting

So Spring is upon us and I normally receive a lot of questions pertaining to how and where to plant new trees in Fort Lauderdale. The first part is to identify a location on your property that is in need of a new tree whether for aesthetics, shade a source of fruit etc. Be aware that new tree planting in the City right-of-way swale will require a City landscaping permit, unless the tree(s) were provided through the City's Adopt A Tree Program. For more information on the City's Adopt A Tree Program please visit the following website: City of Fort Lauderdale Adopt A Tree Program. Next pay attention to the onsite conditions, does the proposed location have existing overhead or underground utilities, does the site receive ample sun or shade and how much room is available for a future mature tree (canopy and root room). Remember to call 811 before you dig to verify utility locations. Then you select an appropriate tree species for the location based on answers to the above questions. Make sure whatever tree you choose to plant is free from defects (girdling roots, poor structure, diseased etc.) and a minimum Florida No. 1 grade.  As for planting the tree dig out a hole that is at least 2-3 times the size of the new tree root ball, remove all burlap/wiring etc. from the rootball, place the tree on a firmly packed soil base within the planting hole backfilling around the root ball with a mix of native/top soil gently tamping it in place. Make sure that the final planting height is about 2-3" above grade as the tree will settle over time. Depending on tree size bracing and staking may be necessary. Make sure to use trunk protectors when bracing to avoid strap damage, and often trees are braced on three sides. Do not tighten the braces too much as a limited amount of play will be essential for allowing the tree to develop proper taper. Establishment watering is critical for the first 3-5 months. A general rule of thumb is to water every day for the first 30 days, every other day the next 30 days, every 3-4 days the next 30 and every 5-7 days the last 2-3 months. Please visit the following web links for additional information on proper tree planting and have fun this Spring with your new trees:

www.treesaregood.com/portals/0/docs/treecare/New_TreePlanting.pdf
https://www.arborday.org/trees/planting/containerized.cfm

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/planting.shtml 

Up Righting Fallen Trees

One of the most commonly asked questions after a hurricane aside from can my tree be saved is how and should you upright a tree that has been blown over in a storm. The answer depends on the integrity of the tree's root system and the size/dbh (diameter breast height) of the tree in question. Typically trees with a dbh less then 6" can be successfully up righted as long as the root zone is relatively intact and free from large defects such as stem girdling, plunging or circling roots. Larger trees may never develop sufficient rooting capacity to successfully anchor the tree without use of permanent bracing systems. I have attached some links to additional information on how to properly re-brace a fallen tree along with methods for doing so.

Photographs showing tree damage post Hurricane Irma, City of Fort Lauderdale

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/fallen-trees.shtml
http://www.broward.org/Parks/Extension/CommercialHorticulture/Pages/UprootedTrees.aspx

https://agrilife.org/treecarekit/after-the-storm/repairing-storm-damaged-trees/