Whether you join us annually at the Arbor Day Tree Giveaway in The Woodlands or are buying saplings from one of the many sales this time of year, here are some great resources to ensure your trees thrive for years to come.
See the list below for quick overview of what you’ll find in this post. Click on a category to jump to that section or simply scroll through for all the tree care tips.
Planting Bare-Root Trees | Mulching the Right Way | 3 Great Pruning Resources | Right Tree Right Place | Find a Certified Arborist Near You
Arbor Day Varieties | Which Tree is Good For Me? Guide to Arbor Day Varieties | Detailed Links for Each Variety |
Planting Bare-Root Trees
Click here for the step-by-step guide from the Arbor Day Foundation to successfully plant your bare-root tree.
Mulching the Right Way
After you plant, there’s one more step! Adding native mulch is one of the best things you can do keep moisture in the soil while adding organic matter as it breaks down. There is a right and a wrong way to mulch; check out this simple guide to make sure you are helping the tree, not harming it.
Check out this quick guide to mulching right from the Arborists themselves or watch the video below from the Tree Care Video Library.
Mulching is also important to avoid conflicts between trees and turf grass. Find out why here.
Three Great Pruning Resources
1] This Tree City USA bulletin covers How to Prune Young Shade Trees. Follow the story of two families who both plant trees, and how those trees turn out in 15 years. Look at the final shape of the tree below, isn’t it a thing of beauty? It is the result of judicious pruning throughout the tree’s life.
2 ] A quick guide to correct pruning is found in this this ISA Guide to Pruning Young Trees. Proper pruning is essential to creating a tree with a strong structure and pleasing form.
3] Wondering what some of the common mistakes are? This USDA Forest Service Guide has great pictures on what to avoid, as well as how to do it right.
Right Tree, Right Place
Even if you plant the tree correctly, mulch it well, and prune it for a strong structure, it won’t matter much if the tree is in the wrong place to begin with. One of the essential functions of trees in southeast Texas is to provide cooling summer shade. Think about that function and other factors that affect tree placement in this visual guide to determining the Right Tree for the Right Place.
Arbor Day Varieties in Detail
We have featured many of this year and last year’s varieties in a series of Trees on the Trail posts, or check out the links to in depth information from the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center’s Native Plant Database below.
LARGE CANOPY TREES
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)
American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)
Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia)
Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra)
Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)
SMALLER UNDERSTORY TREES
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis var. canadensis)
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
False Indigo (Amorpha fruticosa)
NATIVE TREES FEATURED IN PREVIOUS YEARS
Black Willow (Salix nigra)
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
Chickasaw Plum (Prunus angustifolium)
Nuttall Oak (Quercus texana)
Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)
Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata)
Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii)
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)
Willow Oak (Quercus phellos)
White Oak (Quercus alba)
Tree Resource Hubs
Arbor Day Foundation | Tree Care Tips & Techniques for Homeowners
Trees Are Good.org | Tree Owner Information
Tree City USA | Bulletins & Resources
Find a Certified Arborist
If you would like to entrust pruning, assessment and health to a certified professional, the International Society of Arboriculture has a great online tool to find one using your zip code here.
For some talking points to consider in discussing your trees with the arborist, check out this guide on How to Hire an Arborist.