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Classic Conifers
Conifer in Latin means 'cone bearing' and all conifers bear
cones rather than flowers. Most trees bear both male and female
cones. Male cones create the pollen which is transferred to the
female cones by wind. When most of us think of conifers, we think
of the pines, firs and redwoods we see as Christmas trees during
the winter holiday. But plants like junipers and podocarpus also
belong to this large family. And in addition to decorating our
homes for the holidays, these evergreen plants can also add long-lived beauty to our landscapes.
Fall
and early spring are the best times to plant conifers. With
cooler temperatures and more rainfall, plants are able to settle
in nicely. To reduce transpiration plant on overcast or cloudy
days. The hole you dig should be shallow and wide (about twice
the width of the root ball and a bit shorter than its height).
When you finish the root ball should be just slightly above the
soil. When you tip the plant out of the container, make sure to
loosen any roots that may be circling the root ball. These will
continue to circle the root ball and girdle the tree. Also make
sure not to pile extra soil up around the base of the tree. You
want the the part where the trunk meets the roots, or trunk
flare, to be just above the soil. Creating a berm at the edge of
the planting will help direct water down to the roots during
watering. Check the soil every few days during the few weeks
after to planting to make sure it hasn't dried out. You want the
soil to be moist, but not soggy wet. Mulching around the tree
helps retain moisture, but again make sure not to pile it up
against the trunk. It generally takes about 3-6 months for the
roots to grow into the surrounding soil at which time they can
be checked less frequently.
When
choosing a conifer, you want to take into consideration the
mature size of the plant (as some can grow quite large). You
also want to consider the shape of the plant whether it be
columnar (tall and skinny), pyramidal (cone shaped), globose
(round or ball shaped) prostrates (low and sprawling) or dwarf
for design purposes. Selecting the right size and shape will
save you seasons of frustration in trying force the wrong
variety into the wrong space.
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