western-queensland-gardening-guide.pdf - South West NRM

Chapter 4. Successful tree growing
There are several fundamental principles to observe before planting a tree. The tree or
shrub to plant should:
be well suited to the site
have good growth and survival rates
be tolerant of local climatic extremes
not pose a potential weed problem
achieve the desired purpose
be relatively easy to establish.
Planting trees
Trees should be planted so they get the best combination of light, water and
nutrients to suit their growth requirements. How best to do this will vary
depending on the species being planted, soil type, slope, exposure, climate and
surrounding plants and animals. The following are a set of basic guidelines for
planting seedlings from pots.
Effort spent on preparing a site before planting trees will generally be repaid many
times over in improved survival and growth rates and easier management after
planting.
Weed control
Weeds, particularly grasses, compete strongly with young trees for moisture and
nutrients. A weed-free area should be created before planting and maintained
around each tree for the first few years. This area should be at least 1 m wide at
planting, and increase to 2 to 3 m wide as the tree grows. Weeds can be controlled by
cultivation or use of herbicides and/or mulches. (See Figure 4).
Figure 4. Creating a weed-free zone