The Ultimate Guide to Successful Tree Planting in Calgary
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on tree planting in Calgary. This guide discusses the region's hardiness and recommends tree species suitable for Calgary's challenging climate. Focusing on trees provided by the City of Calgary's Branching Out program, we aim to equip you with the necessary tools to enhance the city's canopy. Calgary, located in growing zone 4a, faces extremely cold winters and brief growing seasons. Despite these challenges, selecting hardy species like Early Gold Pear, Gladiator Rosybloom Crabapple, and others can result in thriving trees. This guide will cover selecting the right location, planting techniques, and ongoing care, emphasizing collaboration with Certified Arborists for successful tree planting in Calgary, Alberta.
The Trees bring offered for our Growing Zone
Selecting the right trees for Calgary's growing zone requires focusing on hardy species that can thrive despite the area's climate challenges. The City of Calgary's Branching Out program offers a curated selection of trees well-suited for the local environment, ensuring residents have access to options that will grow successfully in Calgary's unique conditions. This approach to tree selection is integral to fostering a resilient and beautiful urban canopy.
Early Gold Pear: Celebrated for its glossy dark green leaves that transform into a striking burgundy hue in the fall, this tree is an excellent choice for enriching your landscape with vibrant color. It adeptly withstands cold temperatures down to -34°C, making it a resilient addition to any garden.
Gladiator Rosybloom Crabapple: This tree produces beautiful pink and white flowers in the spring and has a unique upright growth habit. It's also tolerant of cold temperatures down to -34°C.
Golden Spice Pear: This tree is a great option for those looking for a fruit-producing tree in Calgary's harsh climate. It produces golden-yellow fruit that ripens in late summer and can tolerate temperatures down to -40°C.
Lodgepole Pine: This evergreen tree is native to western North America and is a great option for those looking to add some variety to their landscape. It can tolerate cold temperatures down to -45°C and is drought-tolerant once established.
Paper Birch: This tree is known for its distinctive white bark and can tolerate cold temperatures down to -42°C. It's a great option for adding texture to your landscape and can grow up to 80 feet tall.
Ponderosa Pine: This tree is another great evergreen option for Calgary's growing zone 4a. It's tolerant of cold temperatures down to -40°C and is drought-tolerant once established.
Royalty Flowering Crabapple: This tree produces stunning pink flowers in the spring and has a unique upright growth habit. It's also tolerant of cold temperatures down to -40°C.
Siberian Larch: This deciduous conifer tree is known for its golden fall color and can tolerate cold temperatures down to -45°C. It's also tolerant of drought once established.
Spring Snow Crabapple: This tree produces beautiful white flowers in the spring and has a round growth habit. It's tolerant of cold temperatures down to -40°C.
Trembling Aspen: This tree is native to North America and is known for its beautiful leaves that tremble in the wind. It's tolerant of cold temperatures down to -45°C and can grow up to 80 feet tall.
Ussurian Pear: This tree produces small, edible fruit and is tolerant of cold temperatures down to -40°C. It's also drought-tolerant once established.
Planting Trees in Calgary
Planting trees in Calgary requires adapting to the unique conditions of hardiness zone 4a. With a strategic approach and careful selection from the species recommended, establishing vibrant and robust trees is achievable. This section offers essential insights for planting the previously mentioned trees, ensuring their successful growth in Calgary's distinct climate.
- Early Gold Pear: This deciduous tree thrives in full sunlight and well-drained soil conditions. When planting, make sure to avoid over-watering and provide plenty of space for the tree to grow. Regular pruning can also help promote healthy growth and shape the tree.
- Gladiator Rosybloom Crabapple: This small ornamental tree is highly adaptable and can tolerate a range of soil types, as long as it's well-drained. It prefers full sunlight and requires moderate watering, especially during the growing season.
- Golden Spice Pear: This fruit-bearing tree prefers full sunlight and slightly acidic soil conditions. It's important to provide regular watering during the growing season and to prune the tree as needed to promote healthy growth.
- Lodgepole Pine: This coniferous tree thrives in slightly acidic soil conditions and prefers full sunlight. It's important to avoid over-watering and to provide regular pruning to maintain the tree's shape.
- Paper Birch: This deciduous tree prefers moist soil conditions and can tolerate partial shade. When planting, make sure to provide adequate space for the tree to grow and avoid over-watering.
- Ponderosa Pine: This drought-tolerant conifer prefers slightly acidic soil conditions and full sunlight. It's important to avoid over-watering and to provide regular pruning to maintain the tree's shape.
- Royalty Flowering Crabapple: This ornamental tree thrives in full sunlight and well-drained soil conditions. It requires moderate watering during the growing season and benefits from regular pruning to promote healthy growth.
- Siberian Larch: This hardy coniferous tree can tolerate a range of soil types and conditions, making it a popular choice for Calgary's harsh climate. It prefers full sunlight and requires minimal pruning.
- Spring Snow Crabapple: This ornamental tree prefers full sunlight and well-drained soil conditions. It requires moderate watering during the growing season and benefits from regular pruning to promote healthy growth.
- Trembling Aspen: This deciduous tree is highly adaptable and can tolerate a range of soil types and conditions. It prefers full sunlight and moderate watering, especially during the growing season.
- Ussurian Pear: This hardy fruit-bearing tree prefers slightly acidic soil conditions and requires regular watering, especially during the growing season. It benefits from regular pruning to promote healthy growth and shape.
We recommend digging a hole twice the size of the tree's root ball. Use the excavated soil without adding 'extra' soils. When inspecting the hole, ensure the sides are scraped to create a rough texture, which benefits root growth. Avoid smooth surfaces as they can impede root development. Be cautious with 'extra' soils from garden centers; they can cause a 'teapot effect,' where drainage around the root ball is significantly slower than through the root ball, potentially leading to water accumulation and drowning the tree. It's advisable not to fertilize the tree for at least one growing season and to prune only dead or broken branches. Consulting with an ISA Certified Arborist for advice on tree planting in Calgary is recommended for successful tree planting and maintenance.
Caring for Trees in Calgary
Once you've planted your trees in Calgary's harsh climate, it's important to give them proper care to ensure their survival and growth. Here are some tips for caring for the trees we've discussed:
- Watering: Adequate watering is crucial, especially in the early stages of growth. Water newly planted trees deeply, giving them enough water to reach their roots. Water deeply every 2 - 3 days depending on weather conditions.
- Mulching: Applying mulch around the base of the tree can help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and prevent weeds from growing. Apply 2-4 inches of organic mulch such as wood chips or bark, but make sure to keep it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rotting. Mulching can also aid in improving the soil quality.
- Pruning: Remove any dead or damaged branches.
- Fertilizing: We recommend applying Wurzel Drip to the root ball before planting. This will help aid in root growth and is made locally in Calgary. Follow the directions on the bottle.
- Pest and Disease Control: Be on the lookout for signs of pests or diseases, such as discolored leaves, spots, or holes. Consult with Our Certified arborist or a local garden center for recommendations on the best methods of prevention and treatment.
By following these tips, you can help ensure the success of your tree planting efforts in Calgary.
Our Conclusion
Facing Calgary's zone 4a climate challenges, with informed strategies, it's feasible to cultivate a vibrant landscape. Selecting the right trees, understanding the area's hardiness, and committing to proper care are crucial for a thriving green space. This guide emphasizes the importance of maintenance and the selection process to ensure your trees flourish, enhancing Calgary's ecosystem. By adhering to the outlined tips, you can contribute to a sustainable and beautiful environment for future generations. Let's embrace tree planting with dedication and the right knowledge to make a lasting impact.
