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Celebrate National Arbor Day
 Wisconsin celebrates National Arbor Day on Friday, April 30th. Arbor Day reminds us of the beauty and importance of trees. Trees beautify your yard, increase your property value, and provide shade that can help cool your home and reduce energy costs. Trees are also important for the environment because they provide oxygen, reduce erosion, act as sound barriers and serve as wildlife habitat. So, if you are looking to make a sound investment in your yard and the environment this spring, consider planting trees.
When it comes to selecting trees, be sure to consider the specific growing conditions of your yard. Wisconsin is well suited to growing many different types of trees so you will have plenty of choices. In fact, Steins Gardens & Gifts has over 86 different cultivated varieties of trees to choose from. Our lawn and garden experts can help select the trees that are right for your yard. Plus, all of our trees come with a 2-year guarantee (a 5-year guarantee if you purchase Stein® Strong Start root stimulator).
Once you’ve selected the right trees, make sure to transport them safely by wrapping the tree foliage with a tarp to avoid wind damage in transit. Use a soft cloth or towel to cushion the tree trunks in your vehicle. Finally, always lift trees by the rootball, not the trunk, making sure to support the rootball to avoid damaging the roots. Once your trees arrive safely at your home, you can set your sights on planting them. First and foremost, take special note of utility lines, both above and below ground. Prior to digging, we recommend that you contact Diggers Hotline at 1-800-242-8511, a free utility locating service, to make sure you are aware of all utility lines.
 After you safely identify the areas in which you wish to plant your trees, you are ready to get started. Trees need adequate room to grow so take special note of their size when full grown in order to select the proper location. Plant your new trees as soon as possible. If you do not plant them immediately, place them in a shady location and cover the base of the trees with mulch to keep them cool and moist. If you purchase trees that are in containers, make sure to water them every day or as needed until planted.
When you are ready to start planting, dig a hole as deep as the tree’s rootball and three to five times as wide as the rootball. The extra width will allow the roots to establish themselves in the surrounding soil. To determine the proper planting depth, look for the trunk flare, or bell-shaped area where the roots spread at the base of the tree. If you do not see the trunk flare, remove some of the soil from the top of the rootball to expose the trunk flare. If your tree is in a container, simply cut down the sides of the container and ease the container away from the rootball. Then, loosen or remove circling roots and expose the trunk flare, if necessary. When placed in the hole, the tree should sit at or slightly above the soil line to allow for some soil settling. Newly planted tree roots develop in the top twelve inches of soil. Trees that are planted too deeply will become oxygen deprived and will not develop properly. Next, straighten the tree in the hole. View the tree from several directions to make sure it is straight because it is difficult to re-position the tree once you fill the hole with soil. Remember, only move the tree by the rootball to avoid damaging the roots. Once the tree is straight, fill the hole gently, but firmly. Add soil a few inches at a time and then add water to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Repeat this process until the tree is firmly planted. Mulch the base of the tree (two to four inches of mulch is ideal) to help maintain moisture, discourage grass growth and prevent weeds. Keep the mulch an inch or two away from the tree trunk to prevent decay.
Once the tree is planted, keep the soil moist with regular waterings. Apply enough water to wet the top twelve inches of soil and water once a week or as needed depending on soil type. Aside from any leaves damaged during planting, do not prune the tree until it is several years old and acclimated to its new environment.
Celebrate National Arbor Day by making an investment in your yard you can count on. Visit your local Stein Gardens & Gifts today to view our complete selection of trees. Our lawn and garden experts are ready to help you select the trees that are best suited for your yard.
Source: http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/tree_planting.aspx
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