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O'Meara: Tree by tree
Daily Camera
August 22, 2007
Gardening at altitude
Tree by Tree, the Mile High Million is an urban renewal project every gardener should get behind. Launched by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper last year, the initiative aims to plant 1 million trees in 32 surrounding cities by 2025.
They're 65,000 plantings into their first year, 15,000 more than the first year goal of 50,000. Tree lovers in Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette, Superior and Erie are participating by registering their leafy loved ones on greenprintdenver.org.
My own redbud, hastily planted in June, is registered. But it's also dead, and this mortifies me, because I get emotionally attached to my trees. I'll start over and this time pay closer attention to my sapling's needs, beginning with a review of the guidance on their Web site (which includes Colorado State University Extension information).
Late summer care is important for trees of all ages, and if you have a special tree, take care of it now with these tips.
Newly planted trees don't need fertilization until their second year. Fertilizer stimulates leaf growth, but your tree needs to pour its energy into re-growing roots that were severed when they were dug from the nursery. Avoid the temptation to give trees a shot of food, and save it for next year when they are better established.
Properly watering your tree is critical in setting up for hardiness through winter. Trees under drought stress have been shown to be more sensitive to cold and may suffer from winter injury sooner than their well-watered counterparts.
Plan on watering your tree weekly through September, then once per month during winter if we are not getting much snowfall. Be sure to check your tree's root area before you water - if the rootball is soggy there's no need to water. If you are unsure of whether you are accurately gauging water to the roots, buy a $5 moisture meter to use to check the soil around the tree. Moisture meters are available at most garden centers and hardware stores.
Pruning of a new tree should not take place until after the tree has started putting out branch growth, usually two or more years after planting. You'll be able to tell when the roots of the tree are re-established when the branches start to elongate. Once this happens, your tree may be pruned.
This is also true for established evergreens. Pruning late in summer may encourage new growth that won't have time to harden off before winter. This softer new growth will be prone to winter burn, so avoid pruning junipers, spruce or pines at this time.
Fruit trees loaded with apples, peaches or pears may need additional support for limbs to hold the extra weight. Prop sagging limbs up by placing padded two-by-fours underneath. A notch in the top of the wood cradles the branch, but be sure to pad the wood with cloth to keep from rubbing the branch and wounding it.
Special note to die-hard plant lovers
Don't miss the blooming of the Betty Ford daylily at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail's Ford Park. This daylily, created in honor of the first lady's battle with breast cancer, is opening its petals for the first time since its planting five years ago. The bloom's garnet shades, blue-red overlay and citron throat necklaced in apricot are spectacular.
This elegant flower will bloom for several weeks, and will likely be finished at the end of August. Look for it just inside the main gate in the gardens' entry perennial border. For more information or directions to the gardens, call 970-476-0103 or visit bettyfordalpinegardens.org.
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