New Tree Planting

The ideal time to plant trees and shrubs is the early spring before budbreak or during the dormant season in the fall after leaf drop. Follow these simple steps and you can significantly reduce the stress placed on the plant at the time of planting.

1. Dig a shallow, broad planting hole. Make the hole wide, as much as three times the diameter of the root ball but only as deep as the root ball. It is important to make the hole wide because the roots on the newly establishing tree must push through surrounding soil in order to establish.
   
2. Identify the trunk flare. The trunk flare is where the roots spread at the base of the tree. This point should be partially visible after the tree has been planted. If the trunk flare is not partially visible, you may have to remove some soil from the top of the root ball.
   
3. Remove tree container for containerized trees. Carefully cutting down the sides of the container may make this easier. Inspect the root ball for circling roots and cut or remove them. Expose the trunk flare, if necessary.
4. Place the tree at the proper height. The majority of the roots on the newly planted tree will develop in the top 12 inches of soil. If the tree is planted too deeply, new roots will have difficulty developing because of a lack of oxygen. It is better to plant the tree a little high, 2 to 3 inches above the base of the trunk flare, than to plant it at or below the original growing level.
   
5. Straighten the tree in the hole. Before you begin backfilling, have someone view the tree from several directions to confirm that the tree is straight.
   
6. Fill the hole gently but firmly. Fill the hole about one-third full and gently but firmly pack the soil around the base of the root ball. Then, if the root ball is wrapped, cut and remove any fabric, plastic, string, and wire from around the trunk and root ball to facilitate growth. Fill the remainder of the hole, taking care to firmly pack soil to eliminate air pockets that may cause roots to dry out. It is not recommended to apply fertilizer at the time of planting.
7. Stake the tree, if necessary. Studies have shown that trees establish more quickly and develop stronger trunk and root systems if they are not staked at the time of planting. However, protective staking may be required on sites where lawn mower damage, vandalism, or windy conditions are concerns. Remove support staking and ties after the first year of growth.
8. Mulch the base of the tree. A 2- to 4-inch layer is ideal. More than 4 inches may cause a problem with oxygen and moisture levels. When placing mulch, be sure that the actual trunk of the tree is not covered. Doing so may cause decay of the living bark at the base of the tree. A mulch-free area, 1 to 2 inches wide at the base of the tree, is sufficient to avoid moist bark conditions and prevent decay.
9. Provide follow-up care. Keep the soil moist but not soaked; overwatering causes leaves to turn yellow or fall off. Water trees at least once a week, barring rain, and more frequently during hot weather. When the soil is dry below the surface of the mulch, it is time to water. Continue until mid-fall, tapering off for lower temperatures that require less-frequent watering.

Traditions : WJ Graham

The Graham legacy began 61 years ago in Evergreen, Colorado. As with everything, the six decades since have brought about many changes in the industry, technology, architectural styles, and décor trends. Happily a few things have remained constant – the Graham passion to continue creating ever more unique and inspiring homes and the commitment to surpassing the client’s expectations.

An excerpt from W.J. Graham’s mission statement: “When I began this company in 1948, a good builder was personally involved with every detail in a new house from the foundation to the cabinets. We took great pride in knowing all the skills and we worked closely with the other craftsmen to make sure everything fit together perfectly. We’ve tried many different approaches to building custom homes since then but we always come back to personally supervising everything. The crews respect our ability to solve problems and make things work together. This knowledge, along with our meticulousness, is what sets us apart from other builders. We enjoy working with people…being a part of the fulfillment of their personal dreams and desires…and would like the opportunity to become a part of your new home project.”

As a third generation master builder, Josh carries on his grandfather’s tradition of integrity and perfection. As his grandfather always said "If you're going to be a Graham you need to do things better than anyone else." Words that have shaped Josh’s career and to which he has strived to continue the Graham family legacy.