When you purchase quality nursery stock it is very important to maintain the plant’s health and vigour. 

By following a few simple steps you can enjoy a healthy plant for many years to come.

The way you handle your cuttings, shrubs and trees impacts their long term success!  Keep storage to a minimum, ensure they are in a cool, damp place and planted ASAP. Considering their age, and the years they have ahead of them, the act of planting is very brief; however this is your most critical step!  Roots must be kept moist!   Survival is dependent on root growth capacity.  Next, commit yourself to giving each tree the five years it takes to fully establish for a healthy future.

Gaudet Trees: Services Offered

Short Term Storage /PREPARATION

• Cuttings require re-hydration and must be soaked for three days prior to planting. 
  
  
• Bare-root trees should be heeled-in, dig a trench and plant trees side by side standing upright.  Cover roots with moist soil; ensure there are no air pockets around roots.  When ready for planting, gently lift out of the soil and relocate before soil moisture is diminished.  Evergreen seedlings may drown if left in a pail of water for more than three hours.
  
  
• Store potted and wire basket plants in a protected area away from direct sun and wind. 

PLANTING

• “Call Before You Dig”.  As part of the planting process, it is crucial that your underground lines are located.  This free service is provided by the utilities such as telephone, gas, etc. and should be utilized as a cautionary measure.  Their contact numbers are under the government Blue Pages.  For Saskatchewan this is 1-866-828-4888.  In most cases two working days are required to have your property marked out.  F.Y.I.:  tree spades account for 40% of the underground lines or cables cut in landscape related work!
  
  
• For cuttings, plant with only two buds showing above the ground, ensure surrounding soil is always very moist for the first year.
  
  
• For bare root trees, potted stock in containers or taller trees in wire baskets, dig a hole 1.5 times wider and deeper than the root spread, or container width being planted.
  
  
• Resources permitting, mix the backfill material with quality topsoil and peat moss.
  
  
• Allow room to grow, resist planting trees and shrubs too close together.
  
  
• Plant tree at the same depth it was previously growing, for bare root; notice the colour change on the bark field.  Handle potted or wire basket plants only by the bottom of the root system or by the container.  Root disturbance must be kept to an absolute minimum.
  
  
• After hole is dug, pre-cut the plastic pot and place the pot with tree in the ground.  To remove the container, you will cut and literally destroy it during the process.  Preserve the overall form of the root ball.

• We facilitate your task of removal for most #5 through to #15 pots with liners.  These burlap squares make the planting process easier.  When extracting the tree from the pot, grasp the corners of the burlap square and lift out of the pot.  Place carefully into the ground without disturbing the root system.  These biodegradable liners keep the root ball intact and are intended to be planted and buried with the root ball.  The integrity of the pot is maintained and can be used repeatedly if returned to us.
  
  
• Water immediately after planting with a good soaking and ensure your trees receive the equivalent of 4 litres per cm (2.5 gallons per inch) of trunk diameter, twice a week throughout the season (do not over water, roots can drown).
  
  
• Never allow soil around newly planted trees and shrubs to dry out.  Successful establishment in the first year requires soil moisture.
  
  
• Moisture Metre probes are a low cost and assist in determining soil moisture.  Insert into the soil near the root ball and add water if the Moisture Meter indicates it is needed.  A deciduous tree shows lack of moisture by wilting within days, whereas coniferous trees might not show signs of lack of moisture for up to two weeks, unfortunately by then the damage might not be reversible. It is important to keep the moisture content up during the growing season as well as insuring your plants go into the dormant stage well watered so that when they begin to come alive in spring they have a great start and another proper growing season.   These Moisture Meters are a very inexpensive way to determine the water requirements of plants and reduce the risk of your trees perishing. 
  
  
• Anti-desiccants are often applied to the foliage of trees, especially conifers prior to spading.  It is a good idea for you to apply the same product to minimize the risk of winter burn which usually occurs in March.  Winter burn turns the needles and foliage brown indicating drought stress as the sun is intense and reflects off the snow causing the plant to heat up and dry out.
  
  
• In the spring, fertilize only once with 10-52-10 water soluble fertilizer and follow manufacturer recommendations to ensure root establishment.  If necessary to fertilize a second time, do so only once with 20-20-20 water soluble fertilizer and follow manufacturer recommendations for vigorous top growth and a vibrant deeper colour.  Refrain from over fertilization!  You run the risk of severely burning the root system and permanently damaging the tree.
  
  
• Weeds hamper growth and even survival by thieving moisture and nutrients.  Clear all unwanted vegetation surrounding your trees.
  
  
• Mulches are a must and greatly assist in maintaining and preserving soil moisture.  This can be comprised of grass clippings, leaf material, straw, plastic, tire crumb, old carpet flipped upside down, wet newsprint and other surprising materials.  If wood chips are used, apply no deeper than between 5 - 8 cm deep.
  
  
• Trees over 2 meters in height should be staked to prevent wind damage.  Erect two or more posts in the ground, fastening a rope or wire to the posts.  Cover the portion of wire or rope which is wrapped around the trunk of the tree with rubber hose to ensure the trunk is not damaged.  Stake for the first year after planting.
  
  
• Wire basket trees have straps fastened to the basket keeping the root-ball snug.  These must be removed in addition to cutting off the top ring on the wire basket or fold this top (which had all of the straps attached to it) over and bury underground.
  
  
• We dig spring & fall, plant ANYTIME until freeze up.  Enjoy your journey!