Purchasing Trees
When is the Best Time to Plant Trees?
Trees can be planted at any time of year, as long as the ground is not frozen solid. Very early spring is a great time to plant because the tree has time to become established before the hot, dry summer. Trees can be planted in the summer, but because of extended periods without rain, you must be very diligent about watering. Fall is another great time to plant. Rain tends to be plentiful and the tree is headed into dormancy for the winter. During the winter dormancy the roots are growing, but the tree does not have to support branch growth and leaves.
While we can plant trees almost any time, we can only dig them from our
fields when they are dormant (without leaves). Therefore, early spring and fall
is when we have our best selection. This is why we have our popular Free Tree
Planting Sale during these seasons.
Free Tree Planting Sale
Twice a year we offer free planting on large trees. The sale runs during the last two weeks of March and the first week of April and then again the last two weeks of September and the first week of October. Please check our Calendar of Events for each years exact dates.
To qualify for free planting, the tree must be $200 or more. The planting site must be within 30 miles of any of our locations. This includes Arlington County, Fairfax County, Frederick County (MD), Howard County, Loudoun County, Montgomery County, and parts of Carroll County, Northwest DC, Prince George's County and Washington County. Please call the closest Nursery location if you are not sure if you are within 30 miles.
The free planting includes: delivery, planting, stakes, Leafgro, and mulch. It does not include removal of any existing plant or stump.
How Are Tree Sizes Measured?
Field-grown trees are planted as seedlings or whips and are generally grown at the Nursery for 5 - 8 years before they are ready for sale. They are in their adolescent growth period, and just like teenagers, they grow at different rates and come in many shapes and sizes!
Evergreen trees (such as pines and spruce) are always measured in terms of height. The measurement is taken from the ground and measures to the tip of the leader. While the consumer can be assured of height, fullness in an evergreen is also an important factor. For example, a 5-6 Leyland cypress can be grown in a 5-gallon pot and while it is indeed at least 5 tall, it is thin. A 5-6 Leyland can also be grown in a 20-gallon container and be quite full and tree-like.
Deciduous trees (ones that lose their leaves) are measured in terms of height and/or caliper. Once a tree begins to fill out and mature (generally once it is taller than 8) the trunk is measured with a caliper tape which gives the diameter of the trunk 6 from the ground. Again, just like teenagers, trees shoot up in height first and then begin to fill out. Going by height alone is not an accurate indicator of actual size. For example, a 14 and 17-year-old male can both be 6 tall, but the 17 year old will have filled out more in the shoulders. The same is true of trees. A 2 caliper and 3 caliper may be around the same height, but the 3 tree will be a fuller tree with more branches and a larger crown. Larger caliper trees are older trees.
Purchasing a Tree
Once youve selected the kind of tree for your yard, you may purchase it using one of two methods. You may come into the Garden Center and select and purchase the tree, or you may phone in your order (Frederick 301.473.9042 - Laytonsville 301.944.1190 - Manassas 703.257.2800). Regardless of the method you choose, a qualified horticulturist will be overseeing your order to ensure the tree(s) you have selected will thrive.
Stump Considerations
The desire to plant a new tree where another tree had been is an understandable one. The need to replace shade and privacy is essential. Planting near existing root systems, however, requires certain considerations.
For the new tree to thrive it is important that its roots be able to grow and establish themselves. While the roots of the dead tree will eventually decay, this process can take years. Unfortunately, no one can "see" into the ground in order to determine how extensive the root system is. The exact placement of the new tree will be determined when we begin digging the planting hole.
Please be aware of the following considerations before selecting a planting site for the new tree.
- Stump grinding service companies will remove the tree and grind the stump. In order for the new tree to be planted on the original site, the stump must be ground down 2'. (The standard amount that is ground down is 6".) All of the wood chippings must be removed before we come to plant. Spread enough topsoil over the planting site to make it level. Water the soil in to encourage it to settle. Add more topsoil if necessary.
- If we are planting 10' away from the stump, it is not necessary to grind down the stump at all. If you wish to have it ground down to plant grass or flowers, 6" is sufficient. The wood chippings must be removed however, as they will rob the new planting of nitrogen.
- If the caliper (diameter) of the trunk on the old tree was 6" or larger, the new tree must be planted at least 10' away from the stump.
- If there are any major stump considerations, it would best for you to be available when we plant the tree so that you can address any concerns with the foreman. If you cannot be available, please mark a second location to plant the tree which is a minimum of 10' away from your first choice.
While Stadler Nursery will do everything possible to plant your tree where you would like it planted, we must also consider the health of the tree. The further away from existing roots the new tree can be planted, the more quickly it will establish itself and thrive.
Please note that trees planted near old root systems generally require more water because there is less soil available to retain water.
