Plant a tree to commemorate a person, event Posted On: Saturday, Nov. 28 2009 05:33 AM By Mary Lew Quesinberry
Special to the Daily Herald

We all have special events in our lives – births, loss of a family member or friend, marriage and accomplishments. Planting a tree to honor a special person or event results in a lasting remembrance. You are not limited to placing a tree in your own landscape – a tree can be donated to your church, school, college, library, city park or club.

Small trees will easily fit into an existing landscape, and selecting a tree that has a period of blooms is an extra bonus. Choose a variety that is suitable for Central Texas. Crape Myrtle, Anacacho Orchid Tree, Desert Willow, Goldenball Leadtree, Texas Mountain Laurel and Texas Redbud all do well in our area, and they make wonderful accent trees.

These trees are drought tolerant and except for the Goldenball Leadtree, they are deer resistant. The Crape Myrtle has the longest bloom time, and if you choose to plant this tree, select a mildew-resistant variety.

When planting your tree, dig a shallow hole, wider but no deeper than the container that the tree is in. Do not add soil amendments to the soil that you place back into the hole. Doing so will result in a vase effect that the tree roots will not venture from. Create a well two feet away from the tree to help prevent runoff when you water. Make sure the tree is well watered before you plant it, and keep it moist the first year as it adapts to its new location. If the tree is 6 feet high or taller, you may want to gently secure it to stakes for the first year. Apply 4 inches of mulch around the tree to prevent weeds, temperature extremes and water evaporation.

Research the spread and drip line also before you plant to make sure there is enough room to grow. You don't want to cut the tree down in the future.

Have any questions about gardening in Central Texas? E-mail ask.bcmga@gmail.com.