LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, October 29

Executing a Landscape Renovation

Mechanized Digging of Planting Holes

Sometimes extra-large trees or shrubs are called for in a landscape renovation, and mechanized equipment is the most efficient way to move them.

In the case of large Balled-and-Burlapped woodies in wire baskets, a tree spade, auger or back hoe is required to move them into position and to dig the holes.

Crabapple LandscapExperts know that a planting hole with “glazed” or slickly-smooth sides (common where the clay content is high)

• can act like an in-ground container, physically preventing the roots from growing into the surrounding soil. 
• can fill up with water. Since plant roots need oxygen as well as water, this can result in plant root suffocation or disease.

To prevent this “bathtub” like phenomenon, once the planting holes are mechanically dug our LandscapExperts rough up the sides  prior to backfilling, making perpendicular cuts that promote root penetration and water drainage into the surrounding soil.