Category: Planting

Tree Replacements in Carolina Preserve

UPDATED: November 30th, 2017

My name is Paul Nystrom, ISA-certified Arborist and owner of Just Small Trees. I’ve put together a plan and pricing to replace the trees that have been removed in the Carolina Preserve development. The goal is to have a new tree planted in accordance with arborist standards while leaving a clean site. All you’ll have to do is water.

I have replaced 3 trees in Carolina Preserve as of November 30th, 2017.

While new trees are generally recommended to be planted 3 feet to the side of a removed tree, this is a guideline suited for smaller trees with containers under 5 gallons. Because the new trees will be in 15-25 gallon pots, the new holes will be almost 5 feet in diameter. Due to the restrictions in place by the close location of electric, water, sewer, and communication lines, I’ll use hand tools to remove the remains of the stump and roots as necessary. The new tree will sit on soil, not on top of the old tree. Depending on how much of the old tree is left in the ground,  the new tree can be planted between 0 and 3 feet of the old tree’s location. In most cases, planting near to the old tree will give the most room for your tree as it gets older and larger. Trees moved closer to utilities could suffer if those utilities need to be repaired in the future and the tree roots are cut.

In the end, extra soil (a mix of certified compost and NC native topsoil) will be brought in and mixed with the clay soil to make up for the removed material. The extra hand digging work and the extra materials is why the price will be higher than my basic tree planting price.

If you decide to use my service, please read:

  1. Just Small Trees standard waiver form
  2. Just Small Trees standard tree planting information page

I’ll confirm the position of the new tree with you and then I’ll take care of everything else from preparing the planting hole to calling 811 to cleaning up.

I can offer tree planting until the ground gets close to freezing, probably mid-December. After that date, the best practice would be to reserve the tree you want and then plant it in earliest Spring. This way the nursery can take proper care of the plant when the tree isn’t growing.

SERVICE PRICE WHEN
Remove large wood chip piles $50.00 Done anytime
Tree hole preparation included with planting service Done anytime, I will call 811 first
Planting service w/ 1 year warranty $200.00 most locations

$150.00 locations with minimal stump remains

 Thru mid-December or after March 1st
Tree itself $130-$260 n/a

Total price = Tree price + Planting service price

AVAILABLE TREES – All Single Stem. Prices are for TREE ONLY:

  • ‘Brandywine’ Maple -Not available in containers in required HOA height/caliper
  • ‘Okame’ Cherry, 25 gallon, $218.00
  • Dogwoods – Not available in containers in required HOA height/caliper
  • ‘Red Rocket’ Crape Myrtle – Not available in containers in required HOA height/caliper/stem
  • ‘Muskogee’ Crape Myrtle, 25 gallon, $226.00
  • ‘Natchez’ Crape Myrtle, 25 gallon, $226.00
  • ‘Natchez’ Crape Myrtle, 15 gallon, $208.00 – less expensive 15 gallon from a different nursery may be available.
  • ‘Tuscarora’ Crape Myrtle, 15 gallon, $208.00- less expensive 15 gallon from a different nursery may be available.
  • ‘Biloxi’ Crape Myrtle, 25 gallon, $226.00
  • Fringetree – American version not available in containers in required HOA height/caliper, Chinese version is available

If there is another tree variety you’d like, please contact me for availability and price.

HOA Requirements – I cannot take responsibility for meeting HOA requirements, but I will source trees to the requirements you give me or tell you if none are available.

Payment – As normal for my company, payment is due upon job completion. If I’m unable to plant your tree before mid-December but I’ve completed preparation work, I’d like to ask for 25% payment for that work and to reserve your tree for 2018.

I want to put in great trees that have great long term prospects. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. My email is paul@justsmalltrees.com or call 919-521-7651.

Tree Watering – Fall Planted Trees

HOW To Water

Expect about 15 seconds of watering at a medium to strong flow rate per gallon of the original container size. So a 7-gallon tree, about 2 minutes. A 25 gallon tree, about 6 minutes. If the mulch is dry, it’ll take some time just to soak the mulch, so you need more to moisten the soil below.

You can use a strong flow if you are hand watering with a hose end that has a “shower” or “rain” setting. If you get run-off under the mulch but haven’t watered that much, move to another section or stop watering for a few minutes to let it soak in.

Another option is to set your sprayer on a gentle flow and leave it spraying on each section of the mulched area. Move it every 5 minutes or if you see runoff. With a gentle flow it’ll take about 1 minute per gallon of the original container size to water your tree. So a 25 gallon tree, about 25 minutes.

Remember: It’s better to water deeply and less often than shallowly and more often.

WHERE To Water

For the first 4 months the roots will be in the area of the container, for a 25 gallon tree this is about a 2-3 foot diameter. Though you want to water the entire mulched area, make sure you don’t miss watering this area.

Watering SCHEDULE

  • Water in 1 week.
  • If the weather remains on the warm side, water every week until it gets cold.
  • For deciduous trees, water until the leaves have fallen off or have turned completely brown (some deciduous trees hold on to their leaves until the Spring).
  • Once cold, generally no watering until the Spring warm-up.
  • During the Spring warm-up, water every 2 weeks.
  • Once the leaves are out and the weather is warm, water once per week until the weather cools off in the fall.
  • In the fall, water every 2 weeks until it gets cold.
  • At this point you shouldn’t need to water anymore except in hot weather dry spells. If you get one, water every 2 weeks to enhance the health of your tree.
  • Trees such as Japanese Maples planted in hot spots require weekly watering in the heat to help prevent leaf scorch and limit tree stress.

Do I need to water in the event of RAIN?

Because the tree is new and due to the mulch, you’ll need to water even if it rains unless you get at least 1/2 inch of rain or more for the watering period. Some locations are sheltered from the rain and as much as 1 inch of rain is needed before the tree is adequately watered. Don’t be afraid to put your hands in the soil and check for moisture after a rain.

CONTACT ME

If you have concerns about your trees health or watering, please contact me right away. If you feel your tree needs more than 1 deep watering per week in the summer, please let me know.