There are many reasons besides celebrating Arbor Day on April 29 to plant a tree -- trees conserve energy,
bring beauty to the yard, attract birds and help clean the air, to name just a few. Iowa State University Extension
garden experts have tips for planting trees and caring for newly planted trees. Gardeners with additional
questions can contact the experts by calling or emailing the ISU Extension horticulture hotline at 515-294-3108
or hortline@iastate.edu.

What is the proper way to plant a balled and burlapped tree?

When planting a balled and burlapped tree, dig a hole that is two to three times wider than the diameter of the
tree's rootball. The depth of the hole should be two or three inches less than the height of the rootball. Slope the
sides of the hole so the top of the hole is several inches wider than the bottom.

Grasping the tree's rootball, carefully lower the tree into the hole. The top of the rootball should be
approximately two or three inches above the surrounding soil line. Make sure the trunk is straight. Then begin
backfilling with the original soil. Do not add compost, peat or other organic materials to the soil. Gently firm
the backfill soil in the hole with your hands.

When the planting hole is one-half full, cut and remove all twine. Also, cut away and remove the burlap on the
top one-third to one-half of the rootball. If the rootball is in a wire basket, remove the top one-third to one-half
of the basket. Completely fill the remainder of the hole with soil. Place soil up to the top of the rootball and
gradually slope it down to the surrounding soil line. Thoroughly water the tree.

Poorly drained sites are difficult locations for many trees. When selecting trees for these sites, choose trees
that can tolerate poorly drained conditions. In poorly drained soils, the depth of the planting hole should be
approximately two-thirds of the height of the rootball. When placed in the hole, the top one-third of the rootball
should be above the surrounding soil. Fill the hole with soil. Place soil to the top of the rootball and gradually
slope it down to the surrounding soil line.

What is the proper way to plant a container-grown tree?

When planting a container-grown tree, dig a hole that is two to three times wider than the diameter of the
container. The depth of the hole should be two or three inches less than the height of the soil ball. Slope the
sides of the hole so the top is several inches wider than the bottom. In poorly drained soils, the depth of the hole
should be approximately two-thirds the height of the soil ball.

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YARD AND GARDEN: PLANTING A TREE

Once the hole has been prepared, carefully lay the tree on its side. Tap the sides of the container to loosen the
soil ball from the container, and then slide the tree out of its container. All containers should be removed, even
supposedly plantable containers. If the sides of the soil ball are a mass of roots, carefully shave off the outer ½
to 1 inch of the soil ball with a sharp spade or saw. Place the tree in the hole. The top of the soil ball should be
approximately 2 or 3 inches above the surrounding soil. In poorly drained sites, the top one-third of the soil ball
should stick above the surrounding soil.

Gradually fill the hole with soil. With each new addition of soil, firm it in place with your hands. Place soil to
the top of the soil ball and gradually slope it down to the surrounding soil. Once planted, water thoroughly.

Should I fertilize a newly planted tree?

It is generally not necessary to fertilize newly planted trees. Most Iowa soils can supply sufficient amounts of
nutrients during establishment. If trees are growing poorly two or three years after planting, fertilization may be
beneficial. Poorly growing trees often exhibit sparse foliage, yellow-green leaves or short annual twig growth.

Should I stake a newly planted tree?

Staking is not required for most newly planted trees. However, large trees and those planted in windy, exposed
sites may require staking. If staking is necessary, allow the trunk to move or sway for proper trunk and root
development. To prevent damage to the trunk, use strong, wide strips of canvas, rubber or other materials to
support the tree. Remove the stakes as soon as possible. In most cases, stakes should be removed after one
growing season.

How should I prune a newly planted tree?

Trees utilize sugars and other carbohydrates manufactured by the foliage for plant growth. Therefore, avoid
the temptation to severely prune newly planted trees. Severe pruning reduces the tree's ability to manufacture
food and actually slows plant growth. Newly planted trees require only corrective pruning. Remove structural
defects, such as double leaders and dead, broken or crossing branches. Retain most of the lower branches to
help stabilize the tree. The lower branches also provide food for the growing tree. Gradually remove the lower
limbs as the tree grows during the next five to 10 years.

How often should I water a newly planted tree?

The key to watering newly planted balled and burlapped and container-grown trees is to keep the plant's
rootball moist for several weeks after planting. Water newly planted trees every day for four or five days and
then gradually reduce the frequency of watering. When watering, slowly apply water to the rootball and the
surrounding soil. A thorough watering every seven to 14 days (in dry weather) should be sufficient four to five
weeks after planting. Continue this watering schedule through summer and into fall. Small trees usually require
watering for one or two growing seasons. It may be necessary to periodically water large trees for two or three

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Nebraska City, Neb. (April 25, 2011) - Iowa's Arbor Day is nearly here, and the best way to observe the holiday is to plant trees. Arbor Day in Iowa will be celebrated on National Arbor Day, April 29.

Before you get started, you want to make sure you're planting the right tree in the right place. A tree serves many purposes. It is wise to first determine which functions are most important to you when selecting a new tree to plant.

The main functions of a tree are:

• Shade: Trees are an excellent source for cooling because not only do they block the rays of the sun, they add water to the air through transpiration. Plant where you want the shadow during the hottest time of the year.
• Beauty: Trees add color and can enhance your home depending on where it's planted.
• Windbreak: These are most effective when you plant trees in a dense, step-like arrangement of both conifers and deciduous trees.
• Boundaries: Trees can help delineate your property.

Once you determine the tree's function, you need to pick the best spot to plant it. To help ensure that you plant the right tree in the right place, there are a few things to consider:

• Short flowering trees are ideal planted under power lines. These trees will not clash with the lines and will add color and beauty to your yard. Some examples of short flowering trees are redbuds, dogwoods and crabapples.
• Large deciduous trees are best used to shade your home and yard. These trees should be planted on the southeast, southwest and west side of your home to provide cooling shade in the summer and won't obstruct the low winter sun. Examples of large shade trees are maples, oaks, spruce and many pine species.
• To slow strong winter winds, many people use evergreen trees, but large deciduous trees work well, too. Windbreaks should be planted on the north side of your home, a fair distance from the nearest structure. Spruce, firs and pine trees make fine windbreaks.

Before you plant, you should also discover which trees grow best in Iowa. To do so, consult the Arbor Day Foundation's Hardiness Zone Map at www.arborday.org/treeinfo, or contact a local nursery or arborist.

Once you've determined the function of your tree and which species you'd like, you're ready to plant. You must take special care of your tree during planting time to ensure that it will grow healthy and strong.

When planting a containerized tree, there are six steps you need to take.

1. Call before you dig. Call the 811 hotline to have underground utilities located.
2. Handle your tree with care. Always lift it up by its root ball and keep its roots moist until you plant it.
3. Dig the proper hole. Dig 2 to 5 times wider than the diameter of the root ball with sloping sides.
4. Dig to the proper depth. The trunk flare of your tree should sit slightly above ground level.
5. Back fill the hole with native soil. That is, unless the soil is all clay. Tamp soil gently to fill large air spaces.
6. Mulch your new tree. Add 2-3 inches of mulch around the planting area but keep it 1-2 inches away from the trunk.

Planting instructions for bare-root trees and ball and burlap trees can be found at http://www.arborday.org/trees/tips/treePlanting.cfm.

Americans have been planting trees on Arbor Day since 1872. Nebraska City, Neb., resident, civic leader and agriculturist J. Sterling Morton urged Nebraskans to "set aside one day to plant trees, both forest and fruit." The tree-planting holiday was so popular that by 1920, more than 45 states and U.S. territories annually celebrated Arbor Day. Today, the tree-planters' holiday is observed in all 50 states and in many countries around the world.

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About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education of more than 1 million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at arborday.org.

Friday, April 22, 2011 (Moline, IL) -- Nearly surrounded by the floodwaters of the mighty Mississippi, employees of one Quad-City company are demonstrating their endurance through this Spring's floods. Doug's Heating and Air Conditioning, located at 4530 River Drive, Moline, has never had to close because of flooding in its entire 65 years of business. Doug's is now surrounded by sandbags filled and placed in mid-March by employees and the company's insurance agents. Doug's has survived three floods since 2005 alone.

Employees have worked tirelessly to elevate the merchandise they have in stock to higher ground to protect it from water that has seeped into the basement. So far, Doug's remains mostly dry inside and open for business. Dedicated employees have had to park blocks away and hike across railroad tracks and plywood bridges to get to work. But customers should see virtually no impact from the floods. "We like to think of this as an opportunity to demonstrate our dedication to serving to our customers," said Matt Hines, owner of Doug's. "We sandbag so we can keep our business open. It's required a lot of extra work, but it is the cost to have our great location."

On Friday, April 22, 2011, Doug's had two installations scheduled. The units were shipped to the customers' homes, instead of the warehouse, which has almost become an island in the midst of floodwaters along a closed River Drive.

For more information on this story, or to schedule an interview, contact Leigh Geramanis @ 309-786-5142 or e-mail leigh@medialinkinc.com.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011 

Senator Chuck Grassley released the following comment after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formally exempted milk and milk product containers from the Oil Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Rule that is intended to prevent oil from discharging into U.S. waterways.  Grassley was a cosponsor of legislation to expedite a decision by the EPA to exempt milk containers from regulations initially intended for oil spills.

Grassley is also leading an effort to keep the EPA from placing further economic pressure on rural America if the agency chooses to impose more stringent regulations on dust. Here is Grassley's comment on the milk exemption.

"Dairy producers across the country are breathing a sigh of relief.  In an already difficult economic environment, this attempt by the EPA to apply burdensome and unnecessary regulations would have put many of these hard working dairy farmers in an extremely precarious position, and could easily have increased prices for consumers at the grocery store.  To think that milk would be treated the same as oil defies common sense.  The agency seems oblivious to the tremendous impact its rules and regulations have on the general public and agriculture in particular.  I appreciate EPA finally getting the job done and doing the right thing in this instance.  I hope this is a sign that common sense won't take a back seat to ideology in the future."