TREES

By Jim Henshaw
Master Gardener

TREES - What would we do without them?? Trees are one of the largest oxygen generators on this planet. Not only do they create beauty for our eyes, but also are needed to sustain life as we know it.

Trees are woody, perennial, and deciduous or evergreen plants that live for several years. Trees come in assorted sizes, short trees, tall trees (the coastal redwood, up to 350 ft). They come in many shapes: spreading, columnar, conical and rounded (the monkey pod tree - a crown of over 200 ft.). The age of some trees can be in the hundreds of years (a Bristlecone Pine may be over 5,000 years old). Dr. Alex Shigo says "Trees are the tallest, most massive, longest lived organism to ever grow on earth.

When selecting a tree and planting site, many things must be considered: sunlight, soil type, adjacent buildings, overhead power lines, any easement restrictions and other tree(s) on the site. This research will help you select the right height, shape and species of tree.

Transplanting your tree correctly increases the odds that it will live to become a healthy, mature tree. Trees need to be pruned and before pruning it is important that one obtain an acknowlecged pruning guide. An improperly pruned tree is open to many types of disease and infection.

You can obtain the right information for selecting, transplanting and pruning trees on our Web Site, or at the OSU Extension Office. Remember, TREES are a growing asset.