How to Care for a Mountain Ash Tree
Mountain ash trees are hardy plants. They do well in cool climates. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, the tree sprouts white flowers and bright red berries. The tree can grow up to 40 feet, but the rate of growth is slow. NRCS estimates that the tree can reach 35 feet in roughly 20 years. If you want your mountain ash tree to reach maturity, care for it properly. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Tour your yard at different times of the day. Observe how much light each portion gets overall, and choose a spot that receives plenty of sunlight and is large enough for the tree once it matures. The mountain ash tree can tolerate moderate shade, according to the NRCS.
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Purchase a young mountain ash tree from a reputable nursery.
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Dig a hole at least 2 feet deep, per NRCS recommendation, where you intend to plant your mountain ash tree. Add mulch and other organic material to the hole. Test pH level. Add more material as needed to bring the overall pH between 5.5 and 7.5. The mountain ash tree does well in different types of soil, but the mulch and organic material near the roots help it grow.
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Plant the "balled-and-burlapped" tree as soon as you can after you purchase it, as recommended by Melinda Myers, author of Minnesota Gardener's Guide.
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Water the tree whenever you notice the soil is "crumbly and moist," Myers advises.
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Mark on your calendar the one-year anniversary of the tree planting. Fertilize the tree on or after this date with a slow-release fertilizer.
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References
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Comments
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We planted a Mountain Ash approx 8 - 9 years ago. Although it is getting bushier it does not appear to be growing in height. The tip of it was broken off one winter would that cause it to stunt the growth? Should I be pruning the branches on the bottom of the trunk? Any advice would be appreciated....
