Tree Planting

Tips for Planting Trees
Planting trees offers many potential benefits. However, poorly placed trees can create problems. Before you plant a tree, remember that tree-to-power line contacts increase the likelihood of an outage during a storm. Avoid planting trees that will eventually grow into or overhang power lines.

Avoid planting any vegetation in front of our ground-level electrical boxes.
Before you plant your trees call Gopher State One Call (GSOC) at least 48 hours in advance (excluding weekends and holidays) for the location of all underground utility lines. Call (651) 454-0002 or 8-1-1 (press one for GSOC).
Do not plant trees under the service lines that run from the pole to your home.
Ornamentals and low-growing trees planted under or within 25 feet of power lines should grow no taller than 20-25 feet at maturity.
Plant tall-growing trees at least 25 feet away from power lines
Recommended trees for Minnesota
Get help planning your spring planting

Tree Watering
Each tree the City plants on the boulevard receive two waterings. After that, watering becomes the responsibility of the individual property owner.

Below is what you can do to ensure that a new tree continues to receive the water it needs:

Water newly planted trees thoroughly once every 7-10 days during dry periods in the spring, summer, and fall.
Trees less than five years old need at least eight 5-gallon buckets of water poured slowly over the roots once every 7-10 days.
An easy way to water your tree is to put a hose under the crown of the tree and run water gently for about one hour.
A tree requires one inch of rainfall each week. You do not need to water as often when rainfall has been adequate for your tree.

Mulching
Mulch is helpful to the tree because it holds moisture, reduces weeds, and prevents damage from weed whips and lawn mowers. You can help preserve tree root health by applying mulch as the tree continues to grow.

It is best to maintain a 4" - 6" layer of mulch around your trees.
Shredded bark or wood chips are good mulch materials. The coarser the mulch, the better. Using finely shredded mulch can actually act as a soil layer and can bury the tree base, possibly causing death.
Do not heap the mulch around the trunk of the tree--keep it a few inches away. This will help prevent damage to the tree from excessive moisture and rodent damage.
As the tree matures, the mulched area should expand with the tree. On older trees, a mulched area with a diameter of 12 feet is effective and attractive.
Weeds can be unsightly and can compete with your tree for essential moisture. Remove weeds from the mulched area by hand, not with herbicide. Try to keep the mulch from mixing in with the surrounding soil.

Tree Maintenance
Keep watch over City-owned trees on your property to help prevent problems.

Check on your new tree once a week to look for any diseases or other problems.
Report any insect, fungal, or other noticeable damage to the City of Columbia Heights by calling 763-706-3700 and the tree will be inspected.

National Arbor Day Foundation
Visit the National Arbor Day Foundation website for additional information regarding tree planting, tree trimming, and trees in general.