Questions to consider...

If you are unsure about any of these, or have any questions, pick up the phone and give me a call... Bryan Williams (248) 568-4492

Root pruning (THE BEST INSURANCE POLICY!)

1. Why root prune?
2. When is the best time?
3. How long does it take to establish new roots?
4. What is the normal root depth?
5. What roots should be cut?
6. When is severe pruning necessary and how should it be done?
7. When, how to water and how much is needed?
8. Is stabilizing during root pruning necessary?

Transporting (BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES!)

1. When is the best time to move a tree?
2. How do you avoid leaves drying out?
3. What is the best way to keep the root ball intact?
4. What is the best way to protect the tree against injury or damage?

Backfill (DO'S AND DON'TS!)

1. How do you find out what the soil needs? (Hint - soil and pH test)
2. What amendments should be added to the soil?
3. What is the best way to provide proper drainage?
4. Where should compaction be avoided?
5. How are compaction and stabilization related?
6. When are air pockets okay and why?

Stabilizing (BLOW ME DOWN!)

1. Is guying needed?
2. What type of product should be used?
3. What is the proper way of guying a tree?
4. Should the main trunk be used or branches and why?
5. Should it be tight or have some slack and why?
6. Which direction should the guying run and why?
7. Why staking doesn't work, but a buried "deadman" does?

Watering properly is critical to survival (GULP!)

1. a. How much water is needed depending on soil type?
2. b. What is the right depth to plant and how can you get water to the roots?
3. c. How does wind affect the amount of water needed?
4. d. How do nearby hardscapes, buildings and trees affect water requirements?
5. e. How, when and with what should you mulch?
6. f. How does the number of hours of direct sunlight affect the amount of water required?
7. g. How does the temperature and humidity affect watering?
8. h. How does the topography where it is planted affect water needs?
9. i. How does root pruning affect the amount of water required?

Fertilizing (TOO OFTEN TOO MUCH!)

1. a. How do you know what the soil needs? (Hint - soil and pH test)
2. b. What is so great about compost tea and when to add it? (Hint - NOW!)
3. c. When should you add fertilizer?
4. d. How often should you add fertilizer?
5. e. How much do you need?
6. f. How do you apply the fertilizer?
7. g. What kind of fertilizer is best?
8. h. When do you need to consult an arborist?