Page 5 - Agway Summer Mag

with white lilac shaped flowers at All trees want a good home, so
the tips of its branches. One of my make sure the planting hole
favorites is a Kousa Dogwood whose accommodates the growth of the
flowers in June last so long I tree. Begin with a hole at least 2-3
complement it with flowering times the size of the container.
shrubs around its base. When digging, check the soil and
remove any sand or clay and
There are summer blooming trees amend with good soil. I always
such as the lovely Stewartia with add some Espoma bio-tone to the
camellia like white flowers valued soil to give the roots a head start.
for its scarlet fall foliage. A cape Backfill with a good planting soil
classic is the Rose of Sharon with a and water well. Remember to keep
multitude of flowering options, easy the soil moist for the first week
to prune and control its shape. For with regular watering throughout
a late bloom, the Crape Myrtle is a the season and in times of drought.
small multi-trunked tree with both Finally mulching the new bed is a
pink and white flower options with good idea to maintain moisture and
great fall foliage. And for those of us reduce weeds but never place the
who remain on the Cape mulch up against the trunk of the
year-round, winter interest trees tree, this could damage the bark
like the Paperbark Maple with over time. Always protect the trunk
cinnamon exfoliating bark or a River of your trees from weed wackers
Birch are both beautiful against a and mowers—a bed of mulch will
winter setting. create a space to mow around away
from the tree. Pruning out any
Most trees can be planted broken or damaged limbs is good
throughout the year so even if a tree for the health of the tree, shape or
is not blooming now, plant it “lift” any branches in spring or after
anyway enjoy next year. All of the flowering with good sharp tools.
trees mentioned (except for the
River Birch) mature around 25-30’. For years trees have
It’s surprising what can be planted commemorated remarkable times
within a property. Flowering trees in our lives. The great Oaks in the
like sun but many can tolerate some south and the Redwoods in the
Trees overhead wires with good air history and memories. Because
northwest are “keepers” of our
shade. Choose an open site free of
they are long lived we can
circulation and light. Many trees
Trees are an investment of time, but I can be planted within your grass remember special events from long
ago. Births, graduations,
lawn so look around and imagine
believe they are well worth the effort. tree is a moment in time and a signal for me to sit places where a tree could improve anniversaries or memory trees all
on my garden bench and delight in its glory. A cape the “look”. connect us to one another. My trees
When trees reach their maturity, their shade cools breeze can quickly blow those flowers away so I have each represent a special time in my
our properties and shades our gatherings. Their learned to take the time to pause When planting within the lawn family and because of this I take
canopy reduces the drying of our lawns and filters and enjoy its beauty. There are many options for a remove the sod and create a circle special care of them and enjoy them
a windy day. They also help reduce our carbon season full of flowering trees and I always suggest for the bed of the tree. Don’t forget very much! Plant a tree today and
footprint. at least one tree for every season. that this tree location could be a enjoy it for years to come.
new garden with shrubs or flowers too! of Cape Cod
Habitats can be supported with tree plantings. You can begin in March with a Witchhazel,
Trees with fruit and berries bring wildlife into the considered by some to be a shrub that can be
yard, not to mention provide places for birds to nest pruned into a tree with showy yellow flowers followed
and branches from which to sing. Along with a well by yellow fall foliage. Later in the spring a Crabapple
placed birdbath near a tree, we create an invitation or a Redbud whose flowers emerge before its leaves
to rest and drink. I always hang some nectar in my will decorate the yard with lovely pink flowers. There
old pear tree to attract the Baltimore Orioles along are shoulder season trees like a Japanese Snowbell
with the Hummingbirds in the spring. A flowering in May along with a Japanese Tree Lilac in June