Tree Care
Malus Floribunda or Crabapple Tree
When planting a tree, always be careful to choose a good location with the proper exposure, soil, and room to grow. The planting hole should be twice as large as the root ball and allow the crown of the roots to be just at the edge of the soil line. Fill the hole with water and any amendments the nursery recommends. Also, position any stake you plan to use before planting the tree. This eliminates any damage to the root system. Trees should be staked for at least, the first year, depending on their size and sturdiness. Some smaller trees need to be staked longer, especially if you have strong winds.
Be very careful to choose trees that fit the area you’re landscaping. For patios, choose smaller trees that don’t make a mess with lots of shedding leaves or fruit. Also, make sure the tree you choose doesn’t have invasive roots that will either raise the cement or interfere with underground pipes. For a reference book, I would recommend the Sunset Tree and Shrub book, but there are many good books on trees.
Try to determine your zone and also check around to see what others have planted and are successful with. If you have a lot of room or a large property, then you can consider larger trees. You could even plant groupings of trees, which looks really good.
During the first two or three years trees should be given extra care until they become established. This means they should be watered deeply, especially during hot summer weather. Also check the ties regularly to ensure that stem growth is not restricted. Stakes should be removed after a couple of years unless the tree is especially spindly. Light dressings of a well balanced fertilizer can be applied if desired. This is not necessary as the plant matures. Keep the soil around the tree free of weeds and remove any sapling growth at the base of the tree. Pruning is usually not necessary unless for aesthetic reasons. Another reason to prune is if the branches cross over each other and start crowding the interior of the tree. This thinning should be done carefully and consulting an arborist is a good idea. For large trees, you definitely should consult a licensed professional.
It’s important to prune at the correct time of year. For ornamental, deciduous trees, the best time is when they’re dormant. This is to prevent the bleeding of sap, which is at it’s lowest level during dormancy.
When pruning branches, look for the swelling of the branch collar where it joins the main trunk and make the cut just outside of this. If the collar isn’t visible make sure the cut doesn’t penetrate the trunk and is slightly angled away from it.
When it comes to pests and diseases, most trees are pest free and require little care for this. If a problem persists, there are remedies available, both chemical and organic. If you’ve cared for your tree with cultivation, water and fertilizer you shouldn’t face too many problems.