To tree or not to tree: what to know before planting this summer

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – With the warm temperatures now fully cemented as summer fast approaches, gardeners and those with green thumbs will be out getting their gardens and lawns ready for beautiful weather.

For the City of Bowling Green, however, the tree planting season has now come to an end, and maintenance is underway for the trees around the city and our parks. They say planting during these colder months is actually more beneficial for the trees, allowing them to get used to their new environment and take root in the soil before any dry spells can disrupt the soil.

“We like to do a lot of work on trees when they’re dormant. It’s less stressful for a tree. So we do all of our planting season from about November through about March. Trees are dormant during that time. The ground rarely freezes too deep in Kentucky to get a shovel in the ground and plant a hole, but that gives the tree an opportunity to grow some roots into the soil and get a head start before spring comes here. If you wait until it’s hot and dry to plant a tree, it’s going to be harder for that tree to get its roots established into the soil,” said city forester and park arborist Jared Weaver.

And before you plant any old tree in your yard, be sure to do the research first to see which species best fits.

Not every tree is the same, especially when it comes to height. Weaver says to take note of details in your yard, like telephone wires, water runoff and other details. The City of Bowling Green has a website to help tree planters understand how to plant their tree successfully so generations to come can enjoy it as well.

You can click here to take a look at the best tips and even some tutorials when it comes to planting trees.