Page 5 - Edible Trees For Tucson

In Tucson, the best time to plant trees is during
October and November. Native desert trees can also
be planted in winter and during monsoons when
humidity and soil moisture are high. Because extreme
heat stresses new
plantings, don’t Before you dig, CALL Arizona 811
plant between late (aka Blue Stake) to mark buried
April and July. utility lines between the street and
your property line. (It’s free!)

Plant the Tree. Dig a hole twice as wide as the
spread of the tree’s roots but only as deep as the root
ball. Widen the top few inches of the hole to create a
shallow sunken basin about 3 feet in diameter. This will
help catch water and allow moisture to filter in slowly to
the tree’s roots.

Place the tree in the planting hole with the root ball
resting on the bottom. Fill soil around the tree and gently
compress it to avoid air pockets around the roots. Water
trees right after planting so the soil settles firmly.

Top basins with a layer of organic mulch 3 to 6 inches
deep, mulch such as: leaves, wood chips, straw, etc.
conserves soil moisture, suppresses weeds, reduces soil
erosion and compaction, and provides nutrients. Keep
organic mulch from piling up against the tree trunk.
Add mulch over time to maintain a thick layer.

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