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Hello, again!
Recently while on a bike ride along the Redbud Trail in town, I noticed the beautiful native Redbuds in full bloom along the path. Running from Hydraulic to nearly Augusta, mostly along 17th Street, the tree-lined path is perfect for walkers and bikers alike. As we enter the spring planting season with our water concerns in the area, I thought about how all of these trees and shrubs have become established without any additional watering from anybody.
With Wichita's current drought conditions and the need for water conservation, choosing the right trees and planting them correctly is more important than ever. Let's talk about planting trees wisely in our area. When selecting trees for our Kansas landscape, drought tolerance is key. Here are some excellent deciduous tree choices that thrive in our climate (deciduous trees shed their leaves at the end of the growing season):
Chinese Pistache: Known for its vibrant fall color and drought resistance.
Oak, Bur: A native option that is very hardy.
Oak, Northern Red: Another strong oak variety suited for our area.
Oak, Shumard: Adaptable and drought-tolerant.
Elm, Lacebark: Beautiful bark and good drought tolerance.
Crabapples: Offer spring blooms and fruit for birds and other wildlife, with varieties offering good drought tolerance.
Redbuds: Known for their stunning spring flowers and adaptability.
Deciduous Magnolias: Provide spectacular spring blooms, with some varieties showing good drought tolerance once established.
Maple: A number of maple varieties perform well in Kansas.
These trees are observed to have survived and even thrived in South Central Kansas' extreme dry, hot summers and can withstand our winters as well. Once you’ve chosen a tree, it’s time to plant. Here's a step-by-step guide to planting trees with water conservation in mind:
1. Dig the Hole: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. This allows the roots to spread easily.
2. Amend the Soil: Improve soil before planting to enhance moisture retention. Add Cotton Burr Compost to the backfill soil. This will help the soil hold onto water.
3. Use Root Stimulator: When planting, apply ferti-lome Root Stimulator according to package directions to encourage root development and reduce transplant shock.
4. Use MYKE: When planting, apply MYKE Tree & Shrub (a root enhancer containing beneficial fungi) according to package directions to promote strong root growth and help the tree establish quickly.
5. Place the Tree: Gently place the tree in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the ground or a bit higher in clay soil.
6. Backfill and Water: Fill the hole with the amended soil. Water thoroughly to settle the soil and remove air pockets.
7. Mulch: Apply 2-3 inches of Johnson’s Grade A Cedar Mulch around the base of the tree. Mulching helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
8. Add a Watering Bag: Install a DeWitt Dew Right Watering Bag around the base of the tree. This will provide slow, deep watering directly to the root zone, reducing water waste.
9. Watering: Water deeply but less frequently. A deep soak once a week is better than shallow, frequent watering. Watering early in the morning will help reduce evaporation.
If you need help choosing or planting a tree, ask us! We’re here to help. Let's work together to plant trees wisely and conserve water in our beautiful Kansas landscape!
Your friend in the garden,
Marty Johnson
Owner - Johnson's Garden Centers
P.S. - Save the date for our Arbor Day Tree Sale, coming up April 22-27!
