FORT KNOX, Ky. — Members of the Natural Resources Branch handed out approximately 500 white flowering dogwood, Eastern redbud and Shumard red oak tree seedlings at the Main Exchange in honor of Arbor Day, April 26.
Some tree enthusiasts have successfully planted seedlings in years past and wanted to grow more.
Anja Brouillard, School Age Center Child Youth Program assistant, for example, picked a flowering dogwood two years ago and planted it with her grandson. “I did it for my grandson. We planted it together, he watered it every day, he loves his tree,” she said. “Every time when he comes to visit, he says, ‘look Oma how big my tree grew!’”
She said she came back this year to get a seedling to plant with her granddaughter, “It’s really nice to do this with the grandkids,” she said.
Others may be planting a seedling for the first time, or even gifting it, so the NRB also handed out guideline pamphlets for general planting and care.
General Planting Guidelines:
When deciding where to plant seedlings, look for an open area with a good amount of sunlight, not close to buildings or other trees that could shadow the plant. Make sure to check that the area is free from access areas such as doors, windows and drains as well. Typically, a one-to-two-foot planting area is enough space for seedlings to survive.
When deciding how deep to plant the seedling, pay close attention to the root collar of the stem. At the base of each plant there is a line at the root where it meets the stem, it will be a lighter color than the stem, this area should be level with the ground. The NRB recommends that if mulch is used, no more than two-inches be spread around the area to avoid suffocating it.
If the seedling won’t be planted right away, the NRB recommends placing it inside a bucket of water to keep it hydrated until it is ready to place in the ground.
All trees handed out at the event were chosen due to their native Kentucky roots, increasing their chances of survival. Equally as important though, is the way trees are cared for after being taken home. In addition to the general planting guidelines, the NRB also handed out instructions for each individual species.
White flowering dogwood:
The white flowering dogwood, also known as the Cornus Florida, is a well-rounded tree suitable for every season.
To maintain the flowering dogwood be sure to keep it lightly shaded and moist. A relatively versatile tree, it can grow in various types of soil, including acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy and clay soils.
When well taken care of, the seedling can grow up to 25 feet tall at full maturity, making it a good option for areas near power lines and other obstacles that taller trees would have a harder time adapting to.
Eastern redbud:
The rose-pink Eastern redbud tree, also known as Cercis Canadensis, typically blooms in April when given proper care.
The Eastern redbud prefers full sunlight or a light amount of shade, so keep this in mind when choosing a planting location. Similarly to the flowering dogwood, the Eastern redbud thrives in multiple types of soils: acidic, alkaline, loamy, rich, sandy, wide range soils and clay soils. Perfect for bird lovers, the plant also provides a good source of winter food for birds.
This tree typically grows to be between 20 and 30 feet tall at maturity, so an open area would be best. The NRB handout recommends this tree to those looking for extra shade, as it has a dense foliage perfect for shading patios.
Shumard Red Oak:
The Shumard Red Oak, or Quercus Shumardii, is the largest choice of the options, making it another perfect shade provider for larger open areas.
The Shumard Red Oak has two distinct sets of colors, dark green in the summer and red and orange in the fall. Though it tends to be more temperamental with its soil preferences, the tree does well with sandy, well drained or disturbed urban clayey soils.
Reaching between 50 and 80 feet tall at full maturity, this plant is best suited for large open areas free from obstructions.
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Editor's note: For more from Arbor Day 2024 follow the link to our Flickr page.
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