"Anthony B" wrote in message

"Bryan" wrote in message
news:FOJqf.171186$Gd6.58709@pd7tw3no...
Can anybody offer any tip's for planting replacement cedar
shrubs. I am in the Pacific Northwest so the weather is fine.

The root ball is enclosed in burlap, should this be removed
or
just cut open on a couple sides to allow the roots to grow
through. Thanks


Bryan... No big difficulty when replacing shrubs.

Do Not remove the burlap

Dig a hole about twice the diameter of the root ball and about
6
inches or so deeper than the rootball is thick.

Take half the soil you removed and mix in about the same amount
of
good landscape mix. compost or similar material.

Put some of this mix into bottom of hole then set shrub in
hole. DO
NOT remove the burlap. Top of rootball should be even with
ground.
If it is not, remove shrub and add more mix. repeat till
rootball
IS level with ground level.

Now you can start backfilling in around the rootball with soil
mix.
Backfill about half way then water it down well. This will
help
remove air pockets AND ensures a thorough first watering.

Untie the burlap and ropes/twine around trunk of shrub and roll
burlap down to below ground level. This will help prevent the
trunk from being girded and prevent any 'wicking' of moisture
from
around the rootball.
Finish backfilling hole and watering it down. take remaning
left
over soil and use it to form a dike around the tree along the
edge
of the hole. This dike will ensure that all the water you
later
apply to shrub/tree will go directly into the rootzone. Water
one
more time.
Now.. a few tips:
If your tree or shrub comes with rootball in a steel cage, you
can
fold the top of the cage back along with the burlap if you
desire,
but removing or cutting the cage is not mandatory. the cage
will
rust away long before any of the roots get large enough for the
cage to be a problem.
I highly recommend using a liquid root stimulator mixture. you
can
find this at any of your better nurseries and garden centers.
Use
according to directions.

Since you are in the pacific NW , then I do not think lack of
water
is going to be an issue during the winter, but come spring or
summer, you will have to water at LEAST every two weeks in damp
weather and weekly ( more if needed) when it gets hot and dry.
Water slow and deep. remeber , that rootball needs to get wet
all
the way down. Hitting it a couple passes with a water wand or
hose
will not be enough.

This guide works with any and all trees and shrubs


Anthony B.
Ky. Nursery & Landscape Association
Certified Nurseryman

It is better to back fill with the native soil not some potting
soil crap.

--

Travis in Shoreline (just North of Seattle) Washington
USDA Zone 8
Sunset Zone 5