This mountain hardy pine tree is gaining nationwide popularity. The ‘Single Blue Pinyon Pine‘ is a local variety that gives a bold appearance to a rustic tree. Its blue color blends well in mountain landscapes as well as modern and Mediterranean-style gardens. The tidy appearance and unusual blue color are stunning. The tree is gaining popularity at farmers’ markets for its pine nut production. Even at a young age, the tree produces pine cones with melt-in-your-mouth nuts. Let it grow wild to 10′ or prune it right after its spring growth for a perfect Christmas tree shape.
Winter is an excellent month for planting evergreens. The timing is perfect for those who use living trees as decorations during the holidays and then mature into the landscape in spring.
Because of their waxy needles and high internal pitch, most conifers need surprisingly little water. Once these trees get up to size, our arid climate, dry soil, and extreme temperatures make them all the happier. This holds true for most other high country natives like pine, cypress, cedar, juniper, and spruce.
Evergreen conifers, or trees with needles as foliage, adjust slowly to heavy clay soils. They don’t like to sit in wet soggy dirt. The tree’s internal metabolism is slowed to an almost stasis-like state. New roots form along with next spring’s candle buds as long as the soil drains quickly. That’s why digging the right size planting hole and adding the correct soil amendments are critical for successful planting.
Here are six steps to plant a living evergreen tree successfully, no matter the season.
#1 – The bowl-shaped hole should be the same depth as the root ball but three times as wide. Plants do not need a bottomless pit; they thrive when able to stretch out just under the soil’s surface, searching for food and water. This is why a bowl-shaped hole promotes the best root development. Rid the planting space of rocks and debris larger than a golf ball.
#2 – Improve the planting soil by amending with Watters Premium Mulch. Good mulch keeps clay soils loose and aerated, and loose granite will retain water better around the root ball. The amount of mulch per plant should be equal to the size of the root ball. That is the quantity of mulch you’ll need to blend into the native soil used to fill in around each plant.
#3 – Evergreen trees are so sensitive to soggy soil it’s recommended to be planted on a slight mound. Whatever you do, don’t bury the plant; keep the trunk from sinking below soil level. The top of the root ball you see in the grower’s pot should still be able to see sunlight once planted.
#4 – Evergreens need the right plant food for a healthy start. Feed with Watters “All-Purpose Plant Food” 7-4-4, specifically designed for Arizona’s mountain plants. Just sprinkle the granules on top of the roots and water. The slow-release nutrients promote a deep green color while encouraging thicker root formation each time you water.
#5 – Promote deeper roots with ‘Root & Grow.’ Add this liquid rooting hormone when your new tree is watered. It forces many new root hairs to grow into the surrounding soil. Use this root tonic once per month until new candle growth emerges this spring.
#6 – Top dress the planting area with a 3″ inch layer of shredded cedar bark. This extra layer of nature’s insulation holds moisture in, keeps weeds out, and protects from extreme temperature swings. It is like pulling a thick wool blanket over the roots when they are cold and shivering.
Water – Keep your tree moist, but allow it to dry between watering. Give it a thorough soak twice per month through winter. Once new growth is experienced, bump the watering schedule twice a week during the first growing season.
For exact planting details that include drawings and measurements, ask for my “Guide to Mile High Planting” the next time you visit the garden center. You might also like the helpful companion guide, “Mile High Watering.”
Until next issue, I’ll be helping festive shoppers pick the perfect living evergreen here at Watters Garden Center.
Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his web site at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10EvergreenTrees.com.