Fall is an excellent time to plant trees, especially after leaf drop (between September 15 and November 1). It offers significant advantages over spring planting, including good soil and weather conditions.
But first, you must select the right tree for the given area and then plant it properly. Below are the seven tips for doing that:
1. Examine the soil
Planting a tree in healthy soil is critical. You want soil that is rich in nutrients and that retains moisture. Make sure it has the right balance of nutrients, like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
You can send soil samples for testing to the Cooperative Extension, University of Rhode Island for a detailed analysis. Tel: 401-874-2900.
2. Analyze the existing conditions
The weather plays a key role in tree planting. Are there severe conditions that could hinder growth? Does the location receive full sun (6+ hours), partial sun (2-4 hours),
or shade? Also, think about the tree’s mature size and canopy spread. Avoid planting near buildings, sidewalks, or other structures.
3. Choose a suitable species
Research trees that grow well in your area. Check your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone and find species suited for your climate. Native trees are usually the best choice since they are already adapted to local weather and pests.
4. Purchase a healthy tree.
Scrutinize the tree. Check the root ball. Avoid balls with roots circling the container. Make sure the trunk is straight and free of wounds, cankers, or insect damage. The branches should be well-spaced with a strong, wide-angle of trunk attachment.
5. Dig the right-sized hole
Dig the hole no deeper than the tree’s root ball and 2-3 timesas wide. Digging a shallow, wide hole encourages the roots to grow into the soil. Plant a little high to allow for settling. Leave the bottom undisturbed.
6. Prepare the tree for planting
Remove the tree from its container or unwrap the burlap and wire cage if it’s a balled and burlapped tree. Locate the “root flare.” It should be at or slightly above the soil line when the tree is planted.
7. Plant and mulch the tree
Place the tree in the center of the hole. Ensure it is straight from all angles. Backfill the hole with the soil you removed. Avoid using soil amendments, compost, or fertilizer; this helps the tree adapt to the native soil.
Finally, water the tree thoroughly. Then, apply a 2–4-inch layer of organic mulch in a “donut” shape around the tree. This helps the tree retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and prevent weeds. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk.
by John Campanini, Technical Director, RI Tree Council
This article is the second in a series on the Miyawaki reforestation method, developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. This article explores the reasons for forest loss in Rhode Island and the benefits of the Miyawaki method.
New England is losing tree cover at an unprecedented rate. Recent reports indicate the area is losing30,000 acres of forest to human development annually. Over a decade, this totals 300,000 acres. Rhode Island is no exception among the New England states experiencing significant tree cover loss.
According to Global Forest Watch, the state lost about 10.5 thousand hectares (kha) of tree cover between 2001 and 2024, a 5.5% decrease from its 2000 tree cover area. This ongoing forest loss limits the tree cover’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide and provide other vital ecosystem services. The state’s need for reforestation has never been greater.
But traditional reforestation techniques can struggle to keep pace with tree loss. They lack natural forests’ resilience and ecological complexity, take decades to mature, and offer limited habitat for diverse wildlife. The sheer scale of the region’s degraded land emphasizes the need for reforestation methods that quickly establish thriving ecosystems.
In short, we need accelerated reforestation techniques that are both effective and efficient. They must be able to sequester carbon rapidly, foster instant biodiversity, rebuild soil health, and provide essential ecosystem services. The Miyawaki reforestation method does all that and more.
Gradual Loss of Forest Cover
Rhode Island forest cover loss is mainly due to expanding human development, with renewable energy projects like large-scale solar farms driving extensive tree loss. The solar factor is among the most significant factors impacting recent forest loss in Rhode Island, if not the most significant.
One report, for example, indicates that in the years leading up to 2022-2023, solar development accounted for a staggering 60-70% of all forest loss in the state, creating a paradox where a “green” energy solution was actively contributing to deforestation, raising significant environmental concerns.
Other infrastructure projects have increased forest loss by splitting larger areas into smaller, less ecologically sustainable patches. The state’s small size and high population density amplify the effects of even modest development efforts. This loss significantly impacts carbon storage, biodiversity, and the overall ecological health of the state.
Moreover, Rhode Island is not a major timber producer. As of 2019, its gross annual sales were only $11.6 million. In reality, most forest loss comes from land conversions for other uses rather than sustainable timber harvesting. Climate change also significantly affects deforestation, making the remaining forests even more vulnerable.
Benefits of the Miyawaki Reforestation Method:
The Miyawaki Method of reforestation allows for quick forest development and ecological restoration. In other words, the method “fast-tracks” the natural ecological succession process, rapidly creating complex, biodiverse, and resilient forests that mimic old-growth ecosystems in a much shorter time. Like any approach, Miyawaki has clear advantages and disadvantages.
In addition to rapid forest growth, the Miyawaki method:
Enhances biodiversity: Miyawaki focuses on planting a wide variety of native species (30-50 or more), mimicking the complexity of natural forests. This effort creates a multi-layered ecosystem that offers diverse habitats for a broader range of local plants and animals, boosting overall biodiversity.
Enhances ecological resilience: Their high diversity and density make these forests stronger and better able to withstand pests, diseases, and climate change impacts. A disease that affects one species is less likely to destroy the entire forest.
Creates effective carbon sequestration: Due to rapid growth and high density, Miyawaki forests quickly become efficient carbon sinks, absorbing substantial amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide, crucial for climate change mitigation.
Enhances Ecosystem Services: These small forests rapidly improve air quality by absorbing pollutants, improve water management by reducing runoff and increasing groundwater recharge, and help combat the urban heat island effect.
Boosts community engagement: Miyawaki projects often involve local communities in the planting and initial care, fostering environmental awareness, stewardship, and a sense of ownership over green spaces.
Transforms small and degraded spaces: Miyawaki is especially effective at turning small, neglected, or urban sites into thriving green spaces, like abandoned lots, roadsides, and public parks.
Requires little maintenance after establishment: After an intensive initial 2-3 years for watering and weeding, these forests’ dense, self-sustaining nature means they need minimal ongoing care.
Miyawaki forests grow 10 times faster than traditional monoculture plantations or natural forest regeneration processes. Due to this rapid growth, the benefits of a healthy forest—such as carbon sequestration, improved air and water quality, and habitat creation for biodiversity—are realized much sooner. Miyawaki forests can reach a comparable level of maturity and ecological stability in just 20 to 30 years. More importantly, they become self-sufficient in two to three years.
In the following article, we’ll review the downsides of the Miyawaki reforestation method and explore the challenges of implementing this method.
It wasn’t easy, but you’ve picked the perfect tree for Christmas. Now, the challenge is to keep it fresh and beautiful throughout the holiday season. Doing that, however, is easier said than done. Some people use preservatives to keep their trees fresh. Preservatives have their pros and cons. Knowing those can help you make an informed decision about using Christmas tree preservatives.
Below, we discuss the pros and cons of using preservatives to keep your Christmas tree fresh and beautiful. We also provide seven additional tips on how to do that over the holiday season, emphasizing the significance of proper care in maintaining the beauty of your tree. Tree preservatives have several pros for keeping your tree fresh: • Reduced needle drop: By inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi in the tree stand water, preservatives can help prevent needle loss, keeping your tree looking fuller and greener longer. • Improved water uptake: Some preservatives can help the tree absorb water more efficiently by lowering the water’s surface tension. This step helps ensure the tree stays hydrated and prevents it from drying out prematurely. • Longer lifespan: Preservatives can help extend the overall life of your Christmas tree by combining the benefits of reduced needle drop and improved water uptake, allowing you to enjoy its festive presence for a longer period. There’s no guarantee, for example, that preservatives will significantly extend the life of your tree, and they can add an extra cost to your Christmas tree budget. Also, some preservatives contain chemicals that could hurt the environment, which can be harmful if ingested by children or pets. These chemicals can also leach into the soil and water, affecting local ecosystems. To mitigate this, always follow the instructions on the product label carefully and consider using eco-friendly alternatives. Some ingredients may cause skin irritation and harm the environment. So, check the label instructions on using the product. Popular Christmas Tree Preservatives Some popular tree preservatives include Miracle-Gro Christmas Tree Food, Pursell’s Christmas Tree Preservative, Bonide Christmas Tree Preservative, and EZ Gardener Christmas Tree Preservative. You can also use home remedies like aspirin or sugar as tree preservatives. Home remedies’ effectiveness can vary, but they’re among the safest approaches to keeping your tree fresh. How effective are preservatives? Some studies on their effectiveness show mixed results. Some indicate that preservatives can slightly reduce needle drop and help the tree retain moisture. Others show minimal or no significant difference in needle retention between trees treated with preservatives and those without. When choosing a preservative, some factors include tree species, preservative type, and proper care.
Below, we discuss the pros and cons of using preservatives to keep your Christmas tree fresh and beautiful. We also provide seven additional tips on how to do that over the holiday season, emphasizing the significance of proper care in maintaining the beauty of your tree.
Tree preservatives have several pros for keeping your tree fresh:
Reduced needle drop: By inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi in the tree stand water, preservatives can help prevent needle loss, keeping your tree looking fuller and greener longer.
Improved water uptake: Some preservatives can help the tree absorb water more efficiently by lowering the water’s surface tension. This step helps ensure the tree stays hydrated and prevents it from drying out prematurely.
Longer lifespan: Preservatives can help extend the overall life of your Christmas tree by combining the benefits of reduced needle drop and improved water uptake, allowing you to enjoy its festive presence for a longer period.
There’s no guarantee, for example, that preservatives will significantly extend the life of your tree, and they can add an extra cost to your Christmas tree budget. Also, some preservatives contain chemicals that could hurt the environment, which can be harmful if ingested by children or pets.
These chemicals can also leach into the soil and water, affecting local ecosystems. To mitigate this, always follow the instructions on the product label carefully and consider using eco-friendly alternatives. Some ingredients may cause skin irritation and harm the environment. So, check the label instructions on using the product.
Popular Christmas Tree Preservatives
Some popular tree preservatives include Miracle-Gro Christmas Tree Food, Pursell’s Christmas Tree Preservative, Bonide Christmas Tree Preservative, and EZ Gardener Christmas Tree Preservative. You can also use home remedies like aspirin or sugar as tree preservatives. Home remedies’ effectiveness can vary, but they’re among the safest approaches to keeping your tree fresh.
How effective are preservatives? Some studies on their effectiveness show mixed results. Some indicate that preservatives can slightly reduce needle drop and help the tree retain moisture. Others show minimal or no significant difference in needle retention between trees treated with preservatives and those without. When choosing a preservative, some factors include tree species, preservative type, and proper care.
Additional Tips on Keeping Your Tree Fresh
While preservatives may offer some benefits, they’re not a silver bullet. They won’t keep your tree fresh all by themselves. Here are seven other things you can do to keep your Christmas tree fresh:
Make a fresh cut: Before placing the tree in the stand, cut off about an inch from the base of the trunk. This step removes sap that has sealed off the pores, allowing the tree to absorb water more effectively.
Water immediately & regularly: Fill the stand with water when you bring the tree home. Check the water level daily and refill it as needed. Never let the water level drop below the base of the trunk.
Avoid heat sources: Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, and heat vents. Direct sunlight can also dry out the tree.
Choose the right stand: Select a sturdy tree stand that can hold plenty of water. The stand should be large enough to accommodate the tree’s base and deep enough to hold at least 1 gallon of water for every inch of trunk diameter. Look for stands with a wide base for stability and a large water reservoir to reduce the frequency of refilling.
Increase humidity: Use a room humidifier to increase the moisture in the air, which can help prevent the tree from drying out.
Reduce stress: Avoid over-handling the tree. Gently guide branches into position and minimize bending and breaking.
Turn off lights: Turn off Christmas tree lights when you leave the house or go to bed to reduce heat stress on the tree.
These tips can help you keep your Christmas tree fresh and beautiful throughout the holiday. When the holidays are over, recycle your tree at a designated drop-off location. Many communities offer free tree recycling programs. Contact RI Tree if you have additional questions about keeping your tree fresh or recycling it.
2024 Rhode Island Arbor Day- Come Join Us In Honoring Trees!
Rhode Island Arbor Day will be celebrated on Friday, April 26, 2024, at the Joseph Ventetuolo Recreational Complex, Brayton Avenue, Cranston, RI (aka: Brayton Avenue Park). The celebration will start at 11AM with welcoming remarks by Cranston’s Mayor Ken Hopkins and The Honorable Jack Reed, United States Senator. The official Rhode Island Arbor Day Proclamation will be read by the Honorable Dan McKee, Governor of Rhode Island.
Other activities will follow. They include poem readings, tree plantings, and an awards ceremony. The poems will highlight the benefits of trees and will be performed by students from Oakland Elementary School. Also, thirteen Rhode Island municipalities and two colleges will be honored by the National Arbor Day Foundation for their commitment to urban forestry. Presenting the awards will be by Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Director, Terry Gray. Capping the day’s event, will be the traditional Tree Planting Ceremony. A total of seven saplings-sugar maple, red maple, and Western arborvitae- will be planted to beautify the park.
Arbor Day is the ‘tree holiday’ celebrated in the United States to recognize the importance of trees. Rhode Island has a long and proud tradition of commemorating Arbor Day dating back to 1887. This year’s event will mark the 137th Anniversary of Rhode Island Arbor Day. The event is free, and the public is invited to attend.
The Rhode Island Tree Council has had a leading role in organizing the Rhode Island Arbor Day Program since 1998. The Tree Council has had the help of several key partners without which this annual endeavor would not have been possible. We appreciate and acknowledge their generous support. They are the United States Forest Service, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and the Rhode Island Energy Company (formerly National Grid Co).
Address for directions: Brayton Park, 18 Brayton Ave, Cranston, RI 02920
CONTACT: Robin Enos, Volunteer Coordinator, RI Tree Council e-mail: ritree@ritree.org, Telephone: 401-764-5885
PROVIDENCE, RI, April 17, 2023 — Rhode Island Tree Council (RI Tree) will hold this year’s Arbor Day celebration at Miantonomi Park, Hillside Avenue, Newport, RI, on Friday, April 28, starting at 10:30 am. The event will be hosted by the city of Newport, the Newport Tree Conservancy, and the Newport Tree and Open Space Commission. The event’s primary sponsor is the Rhode Island Energy Corporation, PPL. The event’s secondary sponsors are the Rhode Island Tree Council and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.
The Newport event marks Rhode Island’s 136th observance of Arbor Day, which recognizes the critical contributions of trees and forests to humanity. Governor Dan McKee will speak at the event and read the RI Arbor Day Proclamation. Children from nearby schools also will participate in the festivities. RI Tree will plant maple, elm, linden, and dogwood saplings as part of the celebration. COVID-19 restrictions will apply. RITC invites everyone to come and join in the day.
Rhode Island has had a long history with Arbor Day. According to the RI Department of Education records, the first event held in Rhode Island to honor trees occurred on April 29, 1886. Sponsored by the Barrington Rural Improvement Society, the ceremony took place on public land near the railroad station in West Barrington.
Assisted by Society members, school children planted an American elm and dedicated it to the memory of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Many more would follow. In 1892, the RI Department of Education initiated an Arbor Day Program for school children to be held in the spring of each year over the next five decades (ending 1939).
Take a second to picture a tree that you love – maybe it’s the big oak in your backyard, the street tree in front of your house, or the new ornamental tree that you just planted in your garden. You probably will do (a number of things²) several things to care for your tree – water it while it’s young or during a period of drought, mulch it in the springtime, or get it professionally pruned as it matures.
You might also do some things to mitigate harm to the above-ground portions of the tree, like ask a builder not to hit the trunk or branches during a home renovation project. However, we generally don’t consider the potentially harmful effects of our every-day behavior on the health of our beloved trees, and consequently, fail to implement a few simple, but high-impact solutions.
Interacting with Our Trees
Let’s take those three hypothetical trees mentioned above. Maybe you picnic around that big oak in your backyard or dash underneath the canopy when it starts to rain. Maybe you walk across the sidewalk tree well in which your street tree is planted, while being careful not to hit the trunk as you open your car door. Maybe you water your ornamental tree, and then walk about the garden pulling weeds and tending to other plants.
These are all wonderful ways to interact with the trees at home or in our communities but walking repeatedly across the soil that’s covering tree roots (particularly when the soil is wet) is not one of them³. This causes the soil to compact, squeezing out of it the water and oxygen essential for healthy plant growth.
Water is an obvious plant requirement, but oxygen is just as necessary below ground as it is above. Without soil oxygen, the tree’s vascular systems cannot properly function and roots are unable to absorb water. There also are microbes and organisms underground that are beneficial to tree survival and need oxygen as well.
Spike Aeration Boosts Tree Health
Here at RI Tree Council, we (definitely) don’t want you to stop picnicking under your tree or wandering around your garden – and the good news is, you don’t have to! Here are some tips (and tricks) to perform soil aeration (the practice of loosening soil to create pathways between soil particles) so that you can keep your beloved trees healthy for years to come.
Spike aeration is the easiest way for home gardeners to aerate their soil on their own! Grab a spikey tool, like a hand cultivator, metal rake, or pitchfork and puncture the soil in a broad area all around your tree. This will allow it to become more porous so oxygen can access the roots and water can drain more readily through the soil. Be careful not to stab surface roots with your tool!
Aerate around your trees once or twice a year, in the spring and/or fall, and always follow-up with mulch (find a great video on how to properly mulch HERE). For mature trees that are starting to show their age, it might be best to aerate the soil, mulch a large area around the base, and then try your best to walk over the roots as little as possible. Mature trees tend to be even more vulnerable to soil compaction.
Lastly – be aware that a healthy-looking tree is not an indication that your soil is fine! The negative impacts of soil compaction might not become visible in the canopy for (a number of growing seasons) many years. Be proactive and build aeration into your annual tree care routine.
Want more tips about keeping your trees healthy, or planning for the installation of new woody plants? Check out RI Tree Council’s other articles on tree care HERE, or sign up for the next Tree Stewards course!
The second classroom lecture of the 2022 Tree Stewards Course took place on Tuesday evening, October 11 at the Mohr Library, Johnston, RI. Soil Management was the topic. Students learned about the important physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil. They were also instructed on how to take a proper soil sample, interpret soil test results, and implement test recommendations. Next week’s class will focus on tree and shrubbery pruning.
RITree’s Instructor Craig Hotchkiss explains Soil pH and its importance in maintaining healthy soils.
After a slow start, the fall foliage is finally turning colorful adding much splendor and beauty to the Rhode Island landscape. Trees leading the charge include the maples, birches, and dogwoods. Of this group, the Red maple is by far and away the star with its brilliant hues ranging from golden yellow to deep red-purple. Many shrubs are also getting into the act. So far the Winged euonymus, viburnums and sumacs are the showiest. Rainfall in late-September early-October helped to “activate” the pigments found in the leaves that are responsible for their recent color change. But the leafy delight won’t last long as the leaves are already beginning to fall. So enjoy nature’s wondrous beauty now before its too late. Do you have a fall foliage favorite plant? We’d like to see it. Send us a photo at ritree@ritree.org.
Sugar maple clothed in red leaf finery is among the ‘best of breed’ plants for fall color.
Written by Robin Enos on . Posted in Uncategorized.
Rhode Island’s 135th Arbor Day was a great success! Thank you to our sponsors National Grid, and RI DEM. We planted 6 London planetrees, 2 Red maples, 2 Sugar maples and 2 Cherry trees at Wilson Park in North Kingstown.
Each workshop will feature a major theme (see workshop description below) while also providing a brief discussion on soils (soil pH & soil sampling), important pests (ALB, Lanternfly, etc.,) and the latest tools for use in plant health care. Workshop dates, locations and descriptions are presented below:
Training Woody Ornamentals begins when they are young. This workshop reviews tree growth and discusses pruning techniques. While general pruning principles are presented, approaches and methods specific to evergreen and deciduous plants are illustrated. The importance of strong structure on growth and performance are explained. Guiding healthy tree growth is an altruistic opportunity for everyone.
Transforming A Landscape just takes trees, time and attention. This workshop will review the transformation of a neglected urban landscape into a pleasant park setting. Tree species, planting locations and maintenance strategy will be explained. Attractive, joyful urban spaces are the embodiment of good design and the routine care and protection of natural resources. Join us for an insightful and inspirational stroll through these several parks to learn what makes them so special.
Elder Tree Care is probably the least understood and least practiced segment of tree management. These shortfalls are disturbing. They contribute each year to the removal of thousands of older trees that deserved a better fate. This workshop provides a basic primer on the characteristics of tree aging, older tree needs and meeting those needs. For this exercise we will examine 100+ year shade trees, evaluating their structure and health and for determining what measures can be taken to extend their longevity well into the future.
Identifying Trees is a fun process. Sleuthing your way to understanding, noticing details and applying interesting terms to them. Simply an intriguing brain exercise. Learn a simple way to use assorted plant parts (leaves, fruit, bark, cones and flowers) to identify common evergreen and deciduous trees. The goals are to have people more comfortable with the process, and aim at more astute observation for more specific revelation.
Growing Fruit Trees has many benefits including an annual harvest of fresh, nutritious locally grown fruit. New technologies have now made it possible to reap these benefits even in the confines of a small urban space. Modeled after RITree’s very own “Backyard Fruit Tree Growing Program”, this workshop will demonstrate the techniques and methods associated with the safe, reliable, and eco-friendly production of apple, peach, plum and pear. Come tour RITree’s Orchard in Johnston and see for yourself the possibilities!
