Shade Tree Committee Offers Advice on Tree Planting

According to Washington Township Shade Tree Committee, residents who don't plant trees properly are likely hurting the living object, causing the roots to strangle the tree and never let it grow to its full potential.

At its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 8, Steve Zaikowski, committee chairman gave a special presentation about the proper way to plant trees. It’s not as simple as just plopping the tree in the ground and hoping that Mother Nature will do the rest.

Zaikowski said one of the mistakes that many homeowners make is not removing all of the netting around the root ball, which is now often made of a synthetic material which eventually chokes the roots or causes them to climb to the surface and wrap around the base of the tree.

Another common mistake is planting the tree too deep in the ground. In most cases, the young tree should be planted so that there is only one or two inches of soil from the top of the root ball.

Committee Member Robert Sikorski offered a reminder about the proper way to

He said, too many people think that the more mulch–the better–when in fact it is the exact opposite.

“Too much mulch destroys trees,” said Sikorski.

He explained that too much mulch is destructive because it encourages roots to grow around the surface of the soil and eventually create a root collar that strangles the tree and it can retain too much moisture around the tree.

A detailed explanation with photos will be available soon on the Shade Tree Committee Web site.

Facing the Pests

The Committee also discussed concern over the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), also known as the “Green Menace.”

Currently a national grid survey is being conducted in 14 states to determine the extent of the infestation of this insect that has already destroyed millions of ash trees throughout the United States.

Through the New Jersey State Department of Agriculture, EAB traps will be placed in the area.

According to a communication distributed by the state, early detection could help in slowing the spread of this destructive pest.

Zaikowski also said that there is great concern over the Stink Bug, which was discovered approximately a decade ago.

He said people are reporting that the insect is boring into fruit of all kinds and rendering them inedible. He said this is having a devastating effect on orchards around the country.

Sikorski pointed out that at the present time, there is no natural predator to the Stink Bug.

Opportunity to Learn More 

The committee also announced that anyone interested in learning more should attend the 35th Annual Home Gardeners School on March 19 at the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station in New Brunswick, NJ.

A keynote presentation will be given by Dr. James A. Murphy, Rutgers University titled: Best Management Practices for Fertilizer Use: It’s the Law in New Jersey!

Those interested in registering should visit the Web site at: http://www.cpe.rutgers.edu/HGS