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CultivationRare native trees are often only available in small sizes. But you should prefer a small plant anyway, since it is easier to put in the ground and will usually adapt more quickly and grow faster than a larger specimen. Pay attention to the particular needs of the plant. Some species require an acid soil, whereas others do best on a neutral or slightly alkaline soil. If you are uncertain about the general pH of your soil, purchase a testing kit. In some cases you may be able to alter the pH of a small area. Products are available for that purpose. Most plants grow faster and bloom more profusely in a sunny location. But ground dries out faster in the sun, so mulching and/or extra watering may be needed there. For understory species, morning sun and afternoon shade, or dappled shade throughout the day, often gives good results. Good drainage is extremely important for many native tree species. In such a case try to put your new plant on an elevated spot, or perhaps create an artificial mound or raised bed. It is generally best to plant in late fall or early spring. Dig the hole at least twice as wide as the rootball, and make sure that the plant isn't set too low. Untangle the roots, cutting them if necessary, and try to spread them out sideways or at a slight downward angle. If you are adding an amendment, mix it thoroughly with the native soil. Arrange the soil to create a small mound right at the base of the plant. Then try to encircle it farther away with a raised ring of mud. This creates a basin which helps prevent water from running off before it can soak into the ground. Eventually the basin will erode away, but by then the plant should be established. Please resist the urge to fertilize a young tree, or at most do so very sparingly. Many native plants appear to be sensitive to fertilizer burn, and the strong chemicals in some fertilizers might also harm beneficial soil organisms. Remember that wild trees get all the nourishment they need from bird droppings, worm excrement, leaf decay, and other natural processes. Water your plant during dry spells, at least for the first year or two. Also maintain a layer of organic mulch around it. Not only does mulch help keep the ground moist, but the decaying organic matter adds nutrients to the soil and improves its texture. Protect all your young trees from rabbits and deer. This is very important. A rare plant is often hard to obtain, and after you give it a lot of attention and care, it's a big disappointment to have it ruined by rabbits. They seem to enjoy biting off small stems, and can bite through the main stem of a young tree at any season of the year. One way to protect against them is to keep a wire cage around the base of the plant until the trunk is at least an inch thick. Leaves that drop in wooded or semi-wild areas should be left on the ground so that the minerals and nutrients can be recycled into the soil. Leaves removed from lawns can be shredded or composted and then used as mulch. Seeds: If you decide to grow a plant from seed, you will likely need a lot of patience. Seeds of most native trees won't germinate unless they are exposed to several months of cold temperatures, and many of them require both warm and cold exposures. In fact the seeds of some species generally don't germinate until the second or third year after planting. You can artificially give seeds the necessary treatments by burying them in moist vermiculate, sealing the container, then keeping it in or out of the refrigerator for the required periods of time. An easier way is to plant the seeds in a protected spot in the ground and let nature do the work. Since this may take several years, it's a good idea to mark the planting locations, perhaps by bordering them with stones. For more information about growing trees from seeds, go to Seeds. |
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