Let the Rain
Protect our waterways
Soak up the rain!
Soak In
www.piercecountywa.org/LID
Planting Trees
to catch and slow run-off
Did you know?
• Pierce County receives
an average of 40 inches
of rain per year.
• The average house’s roof
generates about 30,000
gallons of runoff per
year.
• Rain that does not
soak into the ground
turns into run-off that
carries pollution to our
streams, rivers and
Puget Sound.
• The Washington State
tree is the Western
Hemlock.
• A mature Western
Hemlock will soak up
about 2,200 gallons
of runoff a year. See
what benefits your trees
provide at:
www.treebenefits.com
Why plant a tree?
Trees catch rainwater and slow run-off, which cleans the water and reduces the risk of floods.
Trees help prevent erosion along stream banks and allow more water to soak into the ground
to replenish groundwater. Planting trees on your property has many more benefits:
•
Trees increase property value.
•
Trees remove pollutants from the air.
•
•
•
Trees shade our homes and protect against wind during the winter.
Trees shade streams, keeping the water cool for salmon and other fish.
Trees provide food and shelter for wildlife.
What kind of tree and where?
•
Choose the right tree for your yard. Consider how large the tree will grow and whether
your yard provides the right sunlight, space, soil and moisture conditions. Ask your local
nursery staff for advice.
•
Be a good neighbor. Think about how your mature-sized tree will affect your neighbors’
properties - will it create shade, drop limbs or leaves on their property, or will roots extend
into their yard? Choose a tree species and location that won’t negatively affect neighbors.
•
Evergreen or deciduous? Plant evergreen trees, which keep their needles and leaves in
winter, to the north and west of buildings to block winter winds and summer sun. Plant
deciduous trees, which lose their leaves in winter, to the south and east to let winter sun in
and provide shade during the summer. If space allows, consider planting evergreen trees.
They use the same amount of yard space, but are better filters for air and water pollutants.
•
What about natives? Northwest native trees, when planted in their preferred sun and
soil conditions, grow well with few pest problems and provide habitat for birds and insects.
There are also many non-native trees that are well adapted to our climate and provide
flowers, fruit, or other values.
•
Best time for tree planting. Plant trees during the fall, after the leaves drop, or in the
early spring. The cooler weather and rain will help the tree become established before
the summer heat. Newly planted trees need to be watered during the dry season for at
least three years to become established.
Let the Rain
Soak In
Protect our waterways
Soak up the rain!
www.piercecountywa.org/LID
New Tree Planting and Care
Locate all underground utilities prior to digging (dial 811). Set trees back at
least 5 feet (depending on tree size) from your house and underground utilities
and 2 feet from paved areas. Lift the tree by the root ball, never the trunk.
1. Dig a planting hole. Holes should be two to three times wider than the
root ball and as deep as the root ball. Break up the surrounding soil to
provide growing tree roots room to expand.
2. Identify the trunk flare. The trunk flare is where the trunk expands at
the base of the tree. This point should be partially visible after the tree has
been planted (see diagram). Tree trunk flares are often partially buried by
soil or mulch that needs to be cleared away before planting.
3. Remove the containers or cut away the wire basket. Inspect container
tree root balls and cut off any roots that have started to circle in the
container (they’ll restrict growth later).
Tree bag to slowly water trees
4. Place the tree at the proper height. Set the tree in the hole with the tree
flare just above ground level. If planted too deep, new roots will have
difficulty developing because of a lack of oxygen.
5. Straighten the tree in the hole. Before backfilling, have someone view
the tree from several directions to confirm it is straight. Once planted, it is
difficult to reposition.
Stake only if
necessary.
Use flexible
ties placed
on the lower
half of the
tree
2- to 4-inch
layer of mulch
Remove wires
and container
Keep
mulch
away
from
trunk
Trunk
Flare
Gently pack
backfill,
using water
to settle soil
around the
root ball
Set ball on
firmly packed
soil to prevent
settling.
To learn more:
www.piercecountywa.org/trees
www.treesaregood.com
6. Fill the hole gently, but firmly. Use native soil without amendments to
backfill the hole. Pack soil around the base of the root ball to stabilize
it. If the root ball is wrapped, cut and remove any fabric, plastic, string
and wire from around the root ball. Fill the remainder of the hole, firmly
packing the soil to eliminate air pockets that may dry out roots. Water
periodically while backfilling to help the soil settle and reduce air pockets.
Do not fertilize your newly planted tree.
7. Stake the tree, if necessary. Trees develop stronger trunks and root
systems if they are not staked at the time of planting. If you stake, remove
support staking and ties after one year.
8. Mulch the base of the tree. Mulch will hold moisture, moderate soil
temperature, and reduce grass and weed growth. A 2- to 4-inch layer is
ideal. Keep mulch at least 1 inch away from the tree trunk.
9. Provide follow-up care. For the first 3 years, water your tree at least
weekly. Generally, small trees need 5 gallons-per-inch of tree trunk
diameter per week. When the soil is dry below the mulch, it is time to
water. Only prune dead, diseased, or damaged limbs during the first year.