Complete Tree and Shrub Care

Selecting Trees and Shrubs

• Caring for trees and shrubs begins by selecting healthy specimens for your geographical location. Wherever you live, the trees and shrubs you plant must be hardy for your USDA zone, they must be healthy and growing well, and it is very beneficial if they are disease- and insect-resistant varieties. Contact local nurseries and growers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and local extension offices for information specific to your area.

Proper Planting

• Proper planting gives trees and shrubs a good start and improper planting can kill them. Plant them deep enough to cover their root balls but not so deep that the bases of their trunks are covered or buried too deeply. Before planting, carefully remove any burlap covering root balls of large trees without disturbing the roots. Separate roots of shrubs slightly, especially if they are very pot bound or overgrown. Planting trees and shrubs in the right location is essential. Know the plant's growth habits and native area and take care to plant in a place that is as close to the native habitat as possible. Trees that don't tolerate wet conditions will not grow well and may even die if planted in wet areas and shade-loving shrubs will be stressed in full sun.

Water, Fertilizer and Trimming

• Trees and shrubs require careful attention to water and fertilizer especially in the first year after planting. If the area with newly planted trees and shrubs is large and it's difficult to physically distribute water, use irrigation bags to provide a consistent water supply. Don't fertilize newly planted trees and shrubs heavily but do establish a regular fertilizer program, especially if the soil is poor in your area. At least 3 inches of mulch around new trees and shrubs helps to preserve moisture and prevent dehydration.

Diseases and Insects

• Both young trees and shrubs and older established plants are vulnerable to disease and insect infestation for different reasons. Environmental stresses from weather, such as long periods of rain or drought, and traumatic damage from lightning or landscape equipment like mowers open the plants to fungal or bacterial infections and insect infestations. Find out what your trees and shrubs are susceptible to and their symptoms. Consult with a horticultural professional or your local extension office for any conditions you don't recognize or understand.