About Tree Seedlings
What kind of trees will be sent?
Your tree seedling will be specially selected for your area. The following are the various species we will send:
Colorado Blue Spruce (sent to the majority of our states) The Colorado Blue Spruce, our most popular species, is a hardy, adaptable tree with short needles; slow growth rate; prefers full to partial sun; does best in moist, well drained soils, but is tolerant of other soils.
White Spruce – we grow two varieties of spruce trees, white and blue spruce.
What type of soil should I use?
A soilless mixture is best. Also referred to as a sterile mix because it doesn’t contain soil, which can contain bacteria and fungi that is harmful to seedlings and indoor plants.
Garden soil tends to be heavy and begins to compact after several waterings. This compaction is especially hard on the tender roots of young seedlings just getting established.
Where should I plant my tree seedling?
Be sure and select a location away from house foundations, driveways, sidewalks, power lines and foundation walls of any kind. Though your seedling is small now, it will eventually reach heights of 50 ft or more with annual growth at 6 to 12 inches. If you’re undecided on where to plant your seedling, starting them in a pot for the first couple of years is acceptable.
Why instructions call for digging up a large hole for such a small seedling?
It is important to make the hole wide because the roots on the seedling must push through surrounding soil in order to establish. Breaking up the soil in a large area around the tree provides the newly emerging roots room to expand into loose soil to hasten establishment. Adding mulch acts as a blanket to hold moisture, it moderates soil temperature extremes, and it reduces competition from grass and weeds.
Should I fertilize it?
The first year your tree is planted it is important to establish a good strong root system to support your tree seedling. Many fertilizers encourage the top of your tree to grow, not the roots. For that reason many experts recommend waiting until the second year to fertilize.
It’s getting very cold outside. Should I bring my seedling indoors?
Your seedling is “happiest” outdoors and requires 6 to 8 weeks of dormancy annually. By leaving it outdoors Mother Nature can provide just the right conditions for this to occur. If your seedling is in a pot and weather conditions are below zero, bring your seedling indoors. Potted tree seedlings do not have adequite insulation protecting the roots from freezing and ultimately killing them.
The ground is frozen. What should I do with my seedling?
This time of year the tree seedling you received is dormant. This means that it has shut down for the winter and is not actively growing. If you have winter weather now, you have a couple of options to care for the seedlings until spring.
To hold the seedling for Spring planting: Carefully remove the plastic bag covering the roots and place entire seedling in a plastic bag that can be closed. Put a pin hole in the bag so the tree can “breathe”. The seedling may now be kept in your refrigerator until early spring. Keep the root ball moist and the bag closed. Check every few weeks to make sure the seedling is not too moist (beginning to mold) or too dry. plant in early spring after ground thaws, following outside planting instructions.
OR
Follow indoor planting instructions.
Planting suggestions for your tree seedlings
Outdoor Planting:
Indoor Planting:
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