CNGA LooseLeaf June/July 2019

16 colorad o nga.org LooseLeaf  June/July 2019 soils, because the trees are more successful and he doesn’t see as many product returns as he did when selling containers with lighter soil media. One disadvantage to container trees compared to B&B trees is the length of time that a retailer or wholesaler can store it. Heidrich’s doesn’t hold any containers beyond one growing season, but it can keep and sell B&B trees for a year if they are deciduous, and longer if coniferous. Another possible downside to container trees is girdling and spiraling roots, which are a problem if they’re not grown correctly. Poor root balls can be caused by keeping trees in containers too long, and potting up overgrown #10s or #15s into larger containers. “For us, as soon as a tree is rootbound and can’t be planted without shaving roots, it’s a loss,” he said. “We want to look at the root balls, so we sacrifice a tree by pulling it out of the container to see the quality of what is growing in the soil.” Root structure, as well as head structure, is key to the long-term health of trees, whether in containers or B&B. Container trees with full root systems develop full heads with mature leaves. Pruning is just as necessary as with B&B trees to ensure they don’t become overgrown. “Potted trees always look amazing in the nursery. They look big and dense and full, so people gravitate toward them. Next to a B&B tree, the consumer that doesn’t know about the potential root issues will go for the pot,” Heidrich observed. “The market is so hot right now. As long as it lives and looks pretty, customers will want trees no matter how they were grown. But, I tell customers that they are not just buying leaves and stems, they are getting what is below the soil, too. We don’t want to sell someone a long-term problem. As long as customers water properly, and it’s our job to give them the right instructions, they are pretty successful with trees grown in containers.” Photo courtesy of Heidrich's Colorado Tree Farm Nursery Photo courtesy of Heidrich's Colorado Tree Farm Nursery Photo courtesy of Clayton Tree Farm » continued from previous page