It is a good time to plant these trees now while the soil is still moist from all the rain and the warming weather will give good growth to get it establishing before summer.
When planting a tree larger than about 1m high it is important that it is staked even if it will be only in a situation where it will experience light winds.
The reason for this is for protecting the root system. If you have planted a new tree and the roots are just starting to grow, the newly formed roots will break if wind hits it and rocks the tree.
The result of ongoing root damage from this scenario can result in a tree that is far slower to establish or in fact a tree that is stunted in the longer term. I also recommend the addition of a slow release root establishment fertiliser in the hole when planting such as 'ICan Slow Food'.
This highly recommended fertilizer feeds for up to two years with a chemical analysis that is weighted towards encouraging root development.
The final tip for getting your tree off to a good start is dig a hole that is at least twice as large as the size of the root mass being planted.
The hole should then be planted with a 50/50 mix of compost (for most plants I recommend 'Natural Bark Poultry compost', but it is important to check with qualified staff first as some plants are fussy) and the existing soil. This creates a good environment for root establishment and water storage for the summer months.
It is important to select the right plants for the conditions when planting underneath trees. If something is selected that really needs more light it is likely to perform poorly or die. There are some great plants available that will thrive in shady positions underneath trees.
These trees not only provide a beautiful blossom show in Spring; they put on a stunning autumn display as their leaves turn various blazing shades of red, yellow and orange before they drop and the bare branch structure highlighted against the winter sky will add a little drama to your garden.
People are often hesitant to plant a deciduous tree (one that loses its leaves in winter) due to 'the mess' when they do drop their leaves. But in my opinion the positives outweigh the negatives.
The leaves drop just once during the year rather than the constant trickle of leaves from evergreen trees.
Fallen leaves make a great photo opportunity for your kids! Fallen leaves are one of the best additions to your compost bin that you could ask for or use as mulch in your garden to help suppress weeds and improve your soil over time.
Most importantly, you can use the summer shade and winter light to your advantage for cooling and heating your home when planted along the north facing walls.
Shaded and cool in the summer heat and winter sunshine in the cooler months = reduced power bill for you. You read that correctly. Planting a flowering cherry in the right spot now could reduce your power bill for years to come!
Gareth Carter is General Manager of Springvale Garden Centre
