Small Trees for Urban Landscapes

Today’s home landscapes often require smaller trees. You can still enjoy the benefits of shade, blooms, leaf color and even fruit for your family; just on a smaller scale!

Planting Tips

Place trees to accomplish the most benefit such as on the west side for maximum shade and cooling of the home. Backfill with Calloway’s Tree and Shrub Mix. 

It is safe to plant container grown trees during the Summer unlike balled and burlap trees where the roots are dug and the tree experiences loss of roots.  Container grown trees are healthier, adapt more quickly, and grow better over the long term.  When bringing trees home, allow breathing room in your car.  Try to avoid crushing limbs and leaves in the trunk. 

Dig a hole twice as wide as soil ball is wide, but no deeper than the depth the tree originally grew in the nursery.  Backfill with a 50/50 mixture of existing soil and Calloway’s Tree & Shrub Mix. Thoroughly water the tree to settle the soil and top dress with 2 inches of Calloway’s mulch.

Soil should be slightly moist to the touch, excessively dry soils pull moisture from tender young roots.  Water the tree immediately after it’s planted.  Water your trees during the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer, any time the soil is dry.  Tree roots remain active at all seasons.

Pruning

Prune when necessary but never “top” the tree. Remove inside branches to maintain the structure but still allow sunlight through.

General Tree Care

To conserve moisture and prevent weed growth, mulch newly planted area with two inches of mulch.  Soak deeply to encourage d