- Planting the right tree in the right place
- How to plant a seedling (see below)
- What if I can’t plant my seedling right away? (see below)
- How to properly plant a tree
- How to properly mulch a tree
- How to properly care for a tree
- The benefits of trees and a healthy urban forest
- A list of Legacy Tree Planting List (preferred species, long lived & urban hardy)
- Why hire an arborist?
- Recognizing tree hazards
- Avoiding tree damage during construction
An Eastern Red Cedar will live over 100 years and be around for generations yet to come. It is an urban hardy and native large evergreen tree. It will reach 30-50 feet in height, and 8-20 feet in width. In can be planted in sun or part shade, although it does better in full sun. It prefers well drained soil. (For the avid gardner, it prefers limed soil). It has high drought tolerance, however it still needs to be watered while it establishes itself. This tree grows well everywhere.
Seedling Planting Instructions *
Select a sunny or mostly sunny location as indicated on the label. Remove all weeds, grass, and duff from a 3’ circle around the site. Dig a saucer-shaped hole 10” across, to allow the roots to spread as the tree grows. Turn the soil and break up any large clods. Remove the tree from the tube and the plastic bag from around the root plug. Place the plug just below the surface of the soil, completely covering the roots. Do not plant the tree too deep; an inch of soil on top of the root plug is plenty. Water the tree and cover the planting circle with 2-3 inches of mulch such as aged wood chips, pine needles, or tree bark. Do not let the mulch touch the tree. Water when dry every week or two during the first year.
Storing Your Tree *
If you are unable to plant your tree outdoors right away, store it for a moderate amount of time in your refrigerator (the crisper bin works well). Check periodically that the root plug is moist. If dry, lightly water the tree in the plastic bag (do not saturate), use a twist tie to re-close the bag, and return the tree to the tube.