Gaby
April is often the best month for planting trees and shrubs.
In public parks and near hospitals, plant trees that act as natural air purifiers, such as spruce, juniper, birch, pine, and oak. These trees help remove harmful bacteria and improve air quality. For noise barriers, use fir, spruce, thuja, linden, hornbeam, or climbing plants.
In areas where the air is heavy with exhaust fumes and gasoline vapors, grow birch, weeping willow, sugar maple, and winter oak.
Seedlings for urban streets are grown in nurseries. Before transportation, moisten the roots. Plant trees in pre-prepared holes at least 4 feet in diameter. Secure them with supports—straight wooden stakes about 8 feet tall. Place the supports on the windward side, 2–3 inches away from the trunk. Tie the seedling to the support in two or three places.
The timing of planting is crucial for the survival of fruit trees and berry bushes. Apple trees and berry bushes, being more resilient, can be planted in the fall (about a month before frost) or in early spring. Stone fruit varieties, pears, and grapes are primarily planted in spring. Apple and pear trees should be two years old, while stone fruits can be one year old if they have a developed crown. For currants, gooseberries, and grapes, choose two-year-old plants or one-year-old plants if they are well developed, while raspberries are planted as one-year-old root cuttings.
In the center of the hole, drive a stake 5 feet long into the ground. Add organic and mineral fertilizers to the soil. Trim damaged and frozen (blackened) roots, and soak seedlings in water for 8–10 hours. Trees that have dried out should sit in water for 1–2 days. During planting, dip the root system again in a liquid mixture of soil, clay, and manure.
Immediately after planting, water each seedling with 3–4 buckets of water, depending on the soil moisture. Then cover the hole with loose soil, and to retain moisture add a layer of well-rotted manure or composted peat about 3–4 inches thick. Tie the seedlings to the stakes.
Plant currants and gooseberries 1–2 inches deeper than they were in the nursery, and plant raspberries and gooseberries at the root collar level. After planting, water the plants with 1.3–2.6 gallons of water per hole.
Only a properly planted tree will take root, thrive, and bear fruit.
