Among the most attractive trees in gardens and on the streets of Orange are the gorgeous, tall elm trees.
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Gardening expert Reg Kidd said English elms and golden elms were among the most popular.
He said deciduous trees were best grown in autumn, spring and summer. Bare-root trees are best planted in winter.
WHAT YOU NEED
Cr Kidd said being tall and majestic they are best suited to large landscape areas including gardens and parks.
"The elms require no special conditions beyond a moderately fertile soil, preferably deep and moist as occurs in the river valleys of their native habitat, and mild climate with abundant rainfall," he said.
"Young plants should be grown vigorously in the first year or two, and if necessary, pruned carefully to develop a single main trunk, otherwise their natural form should be preserved as much as possible without interference by pruning."
Cr Kidd said elms flowered early in spring.
"[They have] a fuzz of tiny red-stemmed, petal-less blossom which is rarely noticed, but develops rapidly into a mass of large, single-seeded winged fruit, or samaras, of a whitish-green."
HOW TO PLANT
He said trees that come from nurseries in pots or containers should be planted out carefully without disturbing the root system.
- Dig a hole before removing the plant from its container
- It should be 25 centimetres wider and 12cm deeper than the ball of soil holding the plant
- Fill the hole with water, let it drain and wet the soil going into the hole
- Put top soil at the bottom of the hole
- Remove the plant from the container and place in the hole
- Add soil but do not disturb the soil around the root
- Tread down the soil and leave a saucer-like depression to aid watering
- Water the plant
BARE-ROOT TREES
- Plant in winter.
- Keep the roots moist and out of the sun before planting
- Dig a hole large enough for the roots and insert a stake to stop the tree swaying
- Place the tree in an upgright position and for deciduous fruit trees make sure the union of bud and stock is 8-10cm above ground level
- Pack the roots with soil, half fill the hole with soil and then add water
- When it has drained fill the rest of the hole with soil
- Do not add manure or more water, provided there is sufficient rainfall to keep the soil moist until spring.
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David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
