January 28, 2012 @ 2:36 PM

Here in Southeast Texas we have seen the 2011 drought kill off far too many of our native Texas trees. Many of our customers are looking to replace to trees that they lost, and want pointers on which are the best Texas tree varieties for hardiness, quick growth, and most of all, to have a future as a welcome addition to their landscape.

How to select  the best Texas tree for your yard.

Trees are for a lifetime, so think about the purpose of your new tree as you prepare to plant. A planting service can assist you with this process. There are many native Texas trees perfect for use as shade trees, others more ornamental, and so forth. Planting requires knowledge of the tree to be planted and the specific needs of the tree.  Know the basic rules:

  1. Make a list of which native Texas trees are your favorite varieties, and then make a list of the the purpose you have for the tree. Is it for shade? Privacy? Aesthetics? For use as a windbreak? More than one objective?

  2. Write down the limitations of the site. Is the site for the tree near a home? Is there underground cabling? Overhead cabling? A planting service can also advise on the soil makeup and which native Texas trees will work best given the soil quality.

  3. With all that information, select the very best Texas tree species for your objectives and environmental conditions.

  4. Examine for quality. Southeast Texas Trees LLC provides quality native Texas trees by working through local reputable nurseries and Texas tree farms that maintain the highest standards.

Planting yourself, or hiring a tree planting service.

Going with a tree planting service takes all the guesswork out of making sure the tree is planted correctly and will experience little shock in the process. However, it is a wonderful thing to plant a tree on your own. Here are the steps:

  1. Dig the hole.  Make it deep enough that the root flare of the tree you are planting is at ground level. The hole should be 2 to 2.5 times the diameter of the root ball. The hole should have sides that slope to the center, in concave shape. Loosen the soil at the bottom.

  2. Place the tree in the hole. Cut any netting or take the tree out of the pot, and loosen the ball to spread the roots outward.

  3. Backfill with native soil. You may add some fertilized soil in the mix, but keep in mind that the tree needs to acclimate to the natural soil environment.

  4. Add water so that trapped air will bubble up. Give your newly planted Texas tree its first good drink in its new home.

  5. For the first 4 months water the tree 3 times a week for 10 minutes a watering. Do not depend on your sprinkler system to do the job – it will not soak the ground sufficiently. Remember that although Southeast Texas is known for lots of rain, any rainfall you have during this period should not take you off of your watering schedule. Native Texas trees here in the Southeast region need lots of water, so be diligent in this task.

Following these steps will get your Texas tree properly established and well on its way to being a beautiful new addition to your property.