Fall Is Here

Tree Planting

Last month we planted a Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan'. A Kwanzan Japanese flowering cherry tree. It took most of the day just to get the tree in the ground.

Here's our photo-documentary of the project:

Step 1. Mark Hole.
To make the tree bed circular, we used a piece of string and measured in all directions. Once we had the string in place, we marked it out using white spray paint. This made it very easy for Dan (the tractor operator) to dig in the correct area.

Step 2. Start Digging.
Dan used the backhoe on the tractor to dig out the tree bed. Because it was circular, it required frequent repositioning of the tractor, but it was MUCH easier than digging it out by hand!

Step 3. Remove Rocks.
Once the grass had been removed, Dan used the backhoe to dig out as many of the large rocks as possible. Once most of the rocks were out, we mixed in peat moss, compost, and a tree fertilizing soil.

Step 4. Add Tree.
Now that we had rock free, enhanced soil in the bed, we dug a hole and got ready to put the tree in it.

Step 5-7. Get the tree in the ground.
The tree was not that big, but it was still heavy and awkward to maneuver into position while simultaneously making sure that it stood up straight and that we did not accidentally damage any of its branches.

Step 8. Finish with rocks and wood chips.
Because we planted the tree on a slight hill, we thought it would look more finished if we terraced it with a rock edge. This allowed us to level off the dirt around the tree and add some fresh wood chips from the chipper. There you have it - a beautiful new addition to the yard.

Can't wait to see the flowers in the spring!