Whether you join us at the Arbor Day Tree Give Away in The Woodlands, or are buying tress from one of the many sales this time of year, here are some great resources to ensure your trees thrive for years to come.
Here is a quick overview of what you’ll find here. Click on a category to jump to each section, or scroll through for all the tree care tips.
Planting Bare-Root Trees | Mulching the Right Way | 3 Great Pruning Resources | Plant Health Care | 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! Mulch is one of the best things you can do keep moisture in the soil and add organic matter. 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.
3 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. Isn’t the one below a thing of beauty? It is the result of judicious pruning throughout the tress life.
2 ] A quick guide to correct pruning is found in this this ISA Guide to Pruning Young Trees. Proper pruning is essential to a tree having a strong structure and pleasing form.
3] Wondering what some of the common mistakes are? This USDA Forest Service Guide has some great pictures on what to avoid as well as how to do it right.
Plant Health Care
Health Care? For Plants? Certainly! Plant Health Care (PHC) is a holistic approach to the care of trees and plants that can save you money, save your trees, and save our environment from needless amounts of toxic chemicals.
The benefits are large following the 5 steps of PHC. Skip to the second page of this Tree City USA Bulletin to find out how to implement PHC in your own yard for healthy and resilient trees.
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 SE Texas is to provide cooling summer shade. Think about that and other factors that affect tree placement in this visual guide to determining the Right Tree for the Right Place.
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.
And for some talking points to consider in discussing your trees with the Arborist, check out this guide on How to Hire an Arborist.
This Year’s Arbor Day Varieties in Detail
CANOPY TREES
Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore) | Native Plants of North America (wildflower.org)
Quercus muehlenbergii (Chinkapin oak) | Native Plants of North America (wildflower.org)
Quercus lyrata (Overcup oak) | Native Plants of North America (wildflower.org)
Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Green ash) | Native Plants of North America (wildflower.org)
Pinus taeda (Loblolly pine) | Native Plants of North America (wildflower.org)
UNDERSTORY TREES
Prunus angustifolia (Chickasaw plum) | Native Plants of North America (wildflower.org)
Possumhaw Holly [NOT SHIPPED BY GROWER]
Ilex decidua (Possumhaw) | Native Plants of North America (wildflower.org)
Cornus drummondii (Roughleaf dogwood) | Native Plants of North America (wildflower.org)
Cercis canadensis var. texensis (Texas redbud) | Native Plants of North America (wildflower.org)
Diospyros texana (Texas persimmon) | Native Plants of North America (wildflower.org)
Lindera benzoin (Northern spicebush) | Native Plants of North America (wildflower.org)
Hamamelis virginiana (Witch-hazel) | Native Plants of North America (wildflower.org)
Tree Resource Hubs
Arbor Day Foundation | Tree Care Tips & Techniques for Homeowners
Trees Are Good.org | Tree Owner Information
Tree City USA | Bulletins & Resources
Arbor Day is brought to you by The Woodlands Township Environmental Services
Originally started by the Howard Hughes Development Company, since 1977 more than 1.5 million seedlings have been shared with residents to plant in their yard, in community open space reserves and in forest preserves. Participate in one of The Woodlands longest standing traditions and help plant trees today for our community to enjoy for years to come.
Volunteers are needed to make a difference in The Woodlands at the Township’s annual Village Tree Planting event in February.