In The Garden | Take care in replacement of dead trees
Over recent years we have lost several large ash trees due to the ash borer. Is it best to replace them with larger or smaller trees? Can they be planted in the area where the ash trees were located?
Large trees are more difficult to move and have a much higher cost per tree. The larger the tree, the longer it takes to become established. If cost is not a problem, go for larger trees, if you can find tree type you like and professional treesman to do the job. Moving large trees is not for the inexperienced person.
A smaller tree will become established faster, costs less and much easier to move. As for planting in the same place, if you have the stump taken out as deep as possible, the new large tree can be planted there. If a tree died of disease, a new planting site should be selected.
When planting a new tree, plant higher because the soul will compact and sing with the weight of the tree. It's important to have the flare at base of trunk visible and not buried in the soil. Keep it above ground. Do not apply more than 2 inches of mulch.
Many large trees cost in the range of $300 to $500, depending upon species. The older the buyer, usually a larger tree is the better choice.
To reduce cost for large trees, plant three trees instead of five. If the trees cost $400 each, the total cost would be $1,200 instead of $2,000, which is a substantial reduction. If you consider the location of the original five trees, it may have been a mistake to plant five trees many years ago. All too often people misjudge how much space a mature tree will take; and they plant the young trees too close together.
One final suggestion: find out how much space one of these trees will take at maturity. Use stakes to mark locations for three trees and five trees and see how it appears where they are to be planted. This will help in the decision to plant three or five.
Tree trunk diameter: For lumber purposes, it is important to know the diameter of a tree. Use a cloth tape measure or string to measure the tree circumference at 4.5 feet above ground level. Divide the circumference by 3.14 to determine the trunk diameter.
Today's photo: This winter rural scene of a large white oak tree is special. Such large oaks are not that common today. Plus such a large tree is rare in a farm field. It takes up space where crops could be growing. A big thank you to the owner of this farm who spared that valuable hardwood tree.
The white oak is a native tree that is often grown for the hardwood lumber. It is the wood used to make barrels to age wines, bourbon and other speical beverages for aging.
Looking back, I regret not including a few white oaks along with the red oak trees, but that is long past and can't be changed. Both oak are choice trees to admire.
White oak has a height of 60 to 80 feet and spread of 50 feet or more. Foliage is dark green, changing in the fall from brown to reddish purple.
Kentucky has more white oaks than any state. Kentucky bourbon could not be made without the barrels form white oak. White oak wood is one of the most exported hardwood lumber.
A mature white oak produces 2,000 to 7,000 acorns. They are slow growers and often eaten by bears, wild turkeys and other wildlife. Other faster-growing trees often crowd out the white oak seedlings.
Richard Poffenbaugh is a retired biology teacher and active home gardener since 1960. He is a member of the Mansfield Men's Garden Club and was editor of the club newsletter (The Greenhorn) for 21 years. He resides in Ontario with his wife, Barbara. Reach him at 419-529-2966.