I have planted nearly 800 trees in my life, but it is still one of my favorite things to do. The idea that I have a part in establishing a tree that will be around long after me — that my kids’ kids will be enjoying the shade or fruit of the trees I planted — is pretty cool.
Unfortunately, I would wager that the majority of trees planted are planted incorrectly. The lifespan of a newly planted urban tree, depending on the research cited, is anywhere from 7 to 28 years. That is not very long for an organism that can, depending on the species, live for several generations. The urban environment is a challenging place for a tree to grow, no doubt, but planting and site preparation are the two factors that play the most critical role.
Trees are available from tree farms in three different forms or ways you can purchase them: bare root, containerized (in a pot), or balled in burlap (the tree is dug up with the roots and soil intact, and burlap and wire or twine hold it together).
