In some settings, trees are ubiquitous. In fact, it's hard to see the trees for the forest. But some trees earn more respect than others.
Illinois State University's Patrick Murphy explains that and more to GLT's Mike McCurdy in this edition of our gardening show Grow.
- Communities like Bloomington-Normal are filled with historic trees with stories to tell. The 490-acre Fell Arboretum at Illinois State University is one notable example. Check out the Austrian pine on the north end of the Quad, which has “witnessed” generations of students passing by its bark.
- If you want to plant a tree that will stand the test of time, be purposeful about where you put it. Murph says one of the biggest mistakes planters make is doing it blindly with “only good intentions.” Check out the Arbor Day Foundation’s Right Tree in the Right Place tool to find the right tree for the room you’ve got. Sometimes it’s only a matter of inches that determines whether one tree catches a potentially fatal disease from another tree.
- If you’re planting a new tree, Murph recommends staking it. That can be tough for certain trees, like redbuds which have multiple stems. That makes planting the tree straight even more important. And don’t forget the mulch ring, which can insulate the new root zone and protect the tree from your mower and trimmer.
Listen to the rest of this week's episode:
GLT's Grow is your source for gardening advice and down-to-earth tips. Host Patrick Murphy and co-host Mike McCurdy are ready to take on all your gardening questions, so submit yours today.
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