Mordwid wrote in message
u...
Hi all,

No gardening newsgroup downunder so any advice gladly appreciated.

I purchased a bare rooted Golden Ash tree about a week ago and planted -
you
can see the pics he

http://www.trick.com.au/tree.htm

As this is the first tree I have ever planted I am a little worried
whether
I did it right.

I dug a big hole and dropped the tree in so that the top of the root ball
is
about 1 inch below the earth surface.

However when you look at the pics it seems weird that the trunk has that
branch growing off it so low down.

Should I have dropped the tree deeper in the ground so that the 'branch'
becomes the trunk????

Damn newbie questions......sorry./

I dont want to see this tree die or look spasticated !

Thanks.


Hi Mordwid,

You have more or less got it right. It would considerably help the tree to
establish if you were to remove a wide (1m dia) circle of grass from around
the base of the tree. Keep this clear of weeds, so there is no competition
for moisture or nutrients. With the grass removed, it would be better to
remove the extra 1" of soil above the rootball, and certainly remove it from
around the bark.

Leave the lower branch in place for now; it will help to thicken up and
strengthen the trunk. You will need to judge for yourself the optimum time
to remove this limb. If you let it get too big, you will leave a larger
scar when you prune it out. A year's growth may very well be enough. Prune
it in warm, dry weather so it heals over quickly.

Your tree is grafted, so be careful not to wound the lower, stouter trunk
(the rootstock) when mowing/strimming or weeding, or you may initiate
unwanted growth from the rootstock. Remove any growth which does occur
here.

Consider whether or not you need to stake the tree. Certainly stake it if
you have high winds. Any stake should be driven in at an angle of 45
degrees *against* the wind or, to put it plainly: when the tree rocks in the
wind, it should be pushing the stake into the ground, not tugging it out.
Tie in the stake to the tree with a broad, soft strap with a buffer between
the stake and the tree. Keep an eye on the tie as the tree grows so the tie
does not bite into the bark and damage the tree.

Spider