Tree Acquisition and Planting
Proper tree acquisition (including selection) and planting are critical to the resilience of your urban forest. Trees have a wide range of needs, and selecting the right tree for the right place is important to ensure that your trees are healthy and can grow to maturity. Some selection examples include: choosing trees that are salt tolerant when planting along roadways, shorter stature trees (less than 25 ft. tall) for under power lines, or trees adapted to wet conditions for retention areas. Different species of trees have varying growing requirements. With proper selection, they can grow and be healthy for years to come.
Species diversity is important. If your forest is composed of only a few species, when a pest or pathogen comes along, such as emerald ash borer, you will lose a large portion of your trees. By selecting a broad diversity of trees, your forest will be more resilient to these potential threats.
Proper tree planting is critical for long-term health. Proper tree planting helps to ensure that your tree investment grows. Specifying nationally recognized standards and best management practices for tree planting in your RFP helps to ensure that your contractor is planting and mulching your trees correctly. Trees planted at the right depth, in a hole that is properly prepared, removing wire baskets and rope around the trunk, and keeping the mulch from touching the trunk of the tree, all greatly improve your tree’s chances of survival and length of life.
It is important to plan well in advance before launching your RFP. It is best to submit your tree order at least one year before you intend to plant so that the nursery can reserve your trees and plan the appropriate dig windows for you. Plan as far ahead as possible so that you can get your first pick of species and size.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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First, consider the growing conditions where the trees will be planted. Will they be planted under power lines, in a median, in a wet spot? Select the right tree for the right place. The Morton Arboretum’s Search Trees and Plants tool gives you important information about each tree’s growing condition needs and guides you in the selection process as you identify the specific site and needs you require, e.g., mature size, spring blooms, fall color, wet or dry tolerances, etc. The composition of tree species should be taken into account when selecting new trees to plant. Broad tree species diversity is necessary in creating a resilient urban forest.
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Proper tree planting is critical to set your trees up for success and a long and healthy life. When tree planting is done incorrectly, it can lead to poor health and even tree death. Tree care experts have researched and learned the best ways to plant trees for long term success, which has resulted in nationally recognized specifications for tree planting. Using these specifications when you plant will help set up your urban forest for success.
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The State of Illinois Department of Agriculture inspects and certifies nurseries. It is important to look for a nursery that is certified and in compliance with state standards. The State of Illinois nursery and nursery products search site can be found here.
Additional Resources
The Morton Arboretum The Northern Illinois Tree Species List
The Morton Arboretum Plant Finder
American National Standards Institute Guide to Nursery Stock, (ANSI) Z60.1
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 Tree Care Standards