Planting depth

Growing grass is almost impossible in the heavy shade created by mature trees and many gardeners struggle with the best method for managing this difficult area of their landscape, but it is possible to have attractive plantings in these shaded locations, while still preserving the tree's health. Here are a few tips for creating a beautiful shade garden underneath your trees.

Planting depth was not recognized as a major tree health problem until recent years. But foresters and nurserymen now know that if a tree's root system is buried too deeply in the soil overall root growth is reduced and tree health, for the rest of that tree's life, is compromised.

Fall is the best time of year to plant new trees, from early September through late October. Fall's cooler temperatures and increased rain allow trees to establish their root systems quickly, giving them a jump-start on spring growth. Tree root growth continues late in fall, until soil temperatures drop below 40°F.

But growing healthy trees, that will provide beauty, shade and wind protection for your property long-term, means getting them off to a good start by avoiding common problems at planting.

Stem girdling roots (SGR) are serious problems for trees. They slowly kill trees as roots grow in diameter and compress the trunk. Affected trees grow slowly, are often stunted, and are much more susceptible to secondary stressors like drought.  They often have scorched leaves when summer conditions are hot and dry.