{"id":28359,"date":"2024-03-26T16:54:23","date_gmt":"2024-03-26T20:54:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/?p=28359"},"modified":"2025-07-31T13:53:07","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T17:53:07","slug":"spring-tree-preparations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/spring-tree-preparations\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring Tree Preparations"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Lindsey<\/a>Spring is almost here and we get to wave goodbye to winter.\u00a0 Temperatures are rising, the winds are blowing, and trees are waking up\u2014one of the hot topics every spring is planting.\u00a0 If you missed the chance to get a tree or two (or many more) in the ground this past autumn, then now is the time to start thinking about it again.\u00a0 Look at your planting spaces to see what kind of tree would do well.\u00a0 Think about the tree going in the ground now vs 10 years from now, 30 years, or even 50 years.\u00a0 Will a full-size oak fit in your space or will a smaller redbud work better?\u00a0 Do you have poorly drained soil where a willow or bald cypress will enjoy the excess water or well-drained soil that an American beech or black gum might fare better? Think about what you might want growing in your portion of the ecosystem.\u00a0 Are you looking for spring flowers, shade in the summer, color in the fall, or even different bark types and branch architecture for the winter?\u00a0 Also, once you\u2019ve made your decision and got your new tree make sure you plant it properly to ensure a long happy life and lots of enjoyment.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget about the trees you already have in the ground, too.\u00a0 One simple act that you can do to help them out is to re-mulch your current trees.\u00a0 Mulching helps to regulate soil moisture and temperature for the roots of your trees.\u00a0 Grab a rake and work last year\u2019s mulch into the ground a little, then apply enough new mulch to have about a 2\u20133-inch layer around your tree.\u00a0 Depending on the size of your tree you might need to have a larger mulch ring, but aim for at least a 3-foot diameter, and DO NOT mulch up to the trunk.\u00a0 This is volcano mulching and creates an area of decay in the trunk that can lead to failure.\u00a0 Leave a 2-3-inch ring between the trunk and the mulch.<\/p>\n

For more spring tree tips check out the Purdue Extension \u2013 Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) “YouTube Shorts<\/a>” video, Ben McCallister Offers Spring Tree Tips<\/a><\/p>\n