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Late one afternoon this past summer, two of our neighbor’s mature maple trees
came tumbling down during a heavy rainstorm. Fortunately, the trees fell more
into the street and not on our houses. After I had made sure everyone was
okay, my next thought was to go check on our pawpaw tree planted near the
path of the fallen trees.
To my excitement, the pawpaw tree was still standing and it only received
minor damage on one side.
Since I love to plant trees, the next day my mind was on what tree we could
plant for our neighbor since fall is right around the corner and the best
time to plant.
Best planting time
Why is fall the best time for planting? The most important reason is that, as
the top portion of the tree goes dormant, the root system does not have to
support it and can concentrate on its own growth and development. The root
systems of most trees and shrubs will continue to grow as long as the soil
temperatures are favorable, which is usually well into December throughout
Kentucky. So the stronger and more developed the root system is before the
spring flush of growth, the better.
The second reason is really more about us as gardeners. Trees that are
dormant require less water than those that are actively growing or will begin
active growth soon. So if you plant a tree in the fall (mid-October or later)
you won’t have to water it as much and in some cases not at all. Less work
means more time to enjoy the garden.
If you have a farm or large piece of land where it is nearly impossible or
just a lot of work to get water to the planting site, then November is the
optimal time for you to be planting. October is traditionally a very dry month,
so the chances that you will have to water are still relatively high. In
November, there is usually adequate rain so watering is generally not
necessary.
As with everything surrounding the garden, nothing is set in stone. Planting
in the spring is certainly the most motivating and popular time to plant.
Sometimes gardening is not about being popular, but about being successful.
So know what works best for you in your own situation and set your goals
accordingly.
Kentucky pawpaw
If you are thinking about what trees to plant this fall, consider a few of
our Kentucky native species like my own pawpaw, Asimina triloba. The
common pawpaw is also often called the custard-apple or wild banana tree due
to the shorter and fatter banana-like fruits. Edible, although I didn’t
really care for the flavor, the texture of the fruit is very soft; they taste
as the common name suggests—like custard or pudding. It isn’t ripe until the
fruits are almost black and very soft, so you might not want to do what the
wonderful old Kentucky song Pawpaw Patch (unknown author) suggests
about “Pickin’ up pawpaws, puttin’ ’em in your pocket.”
The pawpaw makes a nice street tree because it only grows 15 to 25 feet tall.
They can grow equally wide, but it is quite easy to remove the lower limbs,
making them easy to walk or drive underneath.
Shelly
Nold is a horticulturist and owner of The Plant Kingdom. Send your gardening
stories or ideas to Shelly Nold, The Plant Kingdom, 4101 Westport Road,
Louisville, KY 40207.
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