| When is the best time of the year to plant a dogwood tree? I've tried before in the spring, but it didn't make it through the summer. |
| I've always had the best success rate when planting or transplanting trees and shrubs in the fall months when natural rainfall and cooler air temperatures help them make the adjustment. Spring planting works, too, but you must be judicious about supplying water (one inch per week without fail) during the summer and fall months until natural rains take over. When planting your tree, dig a hole larger than the rootmass (to help loosen the soil for easier root penetration), then place a small mound of soil on the bottom of the hole to support the underside of the roots. Drape the roots over the mound of soil so they're falling in a natural way, make sure that when you fill the hole the tree will be growing at the same level it was growing in the pot, then fill the hole with soil, gently tamping as you go. After the hole is filled build a basin around the tree and flood it with water. Water again, and then plan to supply water to the basin once each week. Following the above guidelines should result in a thriving dogwood tree. |
