Tree Planting & Care Services

The optimal time for tree planting in Calgary is early spring (late April to early June) and early fall (late August to late September). These periods offer moderate temperatures and typically more consistent moisture, reducing transplant shock and allowing root establishment before extreme weather. Spring planting allows trees to establish before summer heat, while fall planting takes advantage of warm soil conditions for root growth before winter dormancy. We generally avoid planting during July and August due to heat stress concerns, and winter planting is not recommended in our climate. Container-grown trees can be planted throughout the growing season with proper care, while ball-and-burlap specimens benefit most from planting during optimal windows.

Several tree species have proven themselves well-adapted to Calgary's climate challenges. For deciduous trees, we recommend: Swedish Columnar Aspen, Prairie Cascade Weeping Birch, Brandon Elm, Burr Oak, Ohio Buckeye, and various crabapple varieties. For coniferous options, Colorado Blue Spruce, White Spruce, Black Hills Spruce, and Swiss Stone Pine perform excellently. These species have demonstrated resilience to our winter temperature fluctuations, short growing season, and periodic drought conditions. During your consultation, we'll recommend specific varieties based on your site conditions, including soil type, sun exposure, and available space, ensuring the best long-term performance.

Proper watering is critical for newly planted trees in Calgary's climate. For the first 2-3 weeks after planting, water deeply every 2-3 days, providing roughly 10-15 gallons for a typical 5-7ft tree. For weeks 3-12, reduce to once weekly deep watering of 15-20 gallons. From 3-12 months, water every 7-10 days during growing season, adjusting for rainfall. The goal is moist but not saturated soil to the root ball depth. Using a slow-release watering bag can simplify this process and improve absorption. During drought conditions, even established trees benefit from occasional deep watering. We provide customized watering schedules based on your specific tree species, soil type, and current weather conditions.

Contrary to common practice, not all newly planted trees require staking. We evaluate each tree individually, considering factors like size, root ball stability, exposure to wind, and species characteristics. Generally, trees with well-developed root balls under 2 inches in trunk diameter often establish better without staking, as natural movement strengthens trunk development. When staking is necessary (for trees in windy locations or with unstable root balls), we use proper techniques that allow some trunk movement while preventing root ball shifting. Stakes are typically removed after one growing season to prevent trunk damage and ensure proper development. Our approach focuses on tree-specific needs rather than staking by default.

Proper spacing is essential for long-term tree health in Calgary landscapes. Small ornamental trees (mature height under 25ft) should be planted at least 6-10ft from structures and 8-12ft from other trees. Medium-sized trees (25-40ft mature height) need 12-15ft from structures and 15-20ft from other trees. Large shade trees (40ft+ mature height) require at least 20ft from structures and 30-40ft from other trees. Additional considerations include underground utilities (minimum 5ft clearance), overhead lines (avoid planting tall species beneath), and proximity to hard surfaces like driveways (minimum 5-8ft depending on species and root characteristics). During planning, we consider the tree's mature size, not its current dimensions, ensuring beautiful development without future conflicts.