On April 27, Holcomb Farm Tree Trail members and master gardeners Barry Avery and Eric Lukingbeal led a group of interested folks on a walk that culminated with the planting of a tree in honor of Arbor Day 2024.
Avery began the presentation with a brief history of Arbor Day. On Jan. 4, 1872, Sterling Morton, a resident of Nebraska City, Neb., proposed a tree-planting holiday to be called “Arbor Day” as a way to make up for the fact that the mid-west contained very few of the trees left behind by the pioneers moving westward. Trees are needed not only for beauty, but also as windbreaks to keep soil in place, for fuel, for building materials and shade from the hot sun.
The holiday was set for April 10. Prizes were offered for the largest number of trees planted by each county that day. It is estimated that more than 1 million were planted! The governor of Nebraska proclaimed Arbor Day a legal holiday in 1874, selecting April 22 as the official date. By 1920, more than 45 states celebrated Arbor Day, and the date was changed to the last Friday in April.
The first question from the assembled crowd was “When is the best time to plant a tree?” The classic answer to this question is “Yesterday.” Avery noted, “Trees planted today are for 100+ years from now. It is more important than ever that we plant many because of climate warming.” Trees help to stop climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the tree’s tissues and the soil and releasing oxygen into the air.
Avery went on to explain that spring is the best time to plant because the saplings planted then do not have leaves yet, so exposure to the sun will not cause the burning that would hinder a successful outcome. Avery continued; “do diligent research regarding the site you intend to use and the type of tree you intend to plant. Make sure the soil and light conditions are appropriate for your choice.” A soil test can be obtained from the local agricultural office.
Some flowering trees require a partner in order to produce the flower. Some trees have only the egg-producing parts in their flower (pistil), others only the pollen-producing parts (stamens). It’s important to know that before planting only one type.
During the actual planting of the sycamore near the pond on the Tree Trail, Avery and Lukingbeal demonstrated proper planting techniques. Be sure the hole dug is large enough to accommodate the root system comfortably. Aerate the root ball; spread out the roots. Water thoroughly and apply mulch, but do not pile the mulch directly onto the trunk of the tree. “Volcano mulching,” as it is called, can lead to trouble. It can stress the stem tissues, leading to insect and disease problems.
If the sapling is not straight or if it is not sturdy in a very windy area, you may want to place stakes around it. If deer are a problem in your area, you may need to put fencing around the trunk to prevent the bark from being eaten. Also, in the fall, male deer (bucks) rub their antlers on tree trunks to remove some of the velvet on the antlers and also to mark their territory. This can destroy the cambium layer just below the bark. The cambium is the layer between the outer dead tissues of the tree and the inner living tissues. It is the growth layer that contains the cells that make new tissue for the tree. If buck rub occurs in a young tree, it is most likely going to kill that tree.
Pay close attention to your newly planted tree during its first season of growth. Water during dry spells and check for any damage to the trunk or leaves. With luck and care, you should be successful and proud to have contributed to the health of our planet.