CNGA LooseLeaf June/July 2019

15 colorad o nga.org LooseLeaf June/July 2019 mix of top soil, bark, bark fines, and fertilizer. “Top soil is an important component of our potting mix. It allows the tree to retain moisture while also promoting strong growth. That being said, finding the right ratio of ‘ingredients’ was important to us. We have tried to make sure we have a tree that will perform well while also being manageable to handle. Our #25s weigh between 150 and 200 pounds, so it’s feasible for two people to move them,” Clayton said. “Not all varieties or sizes do as well in containers as they do in being field grown. If we can’t grow it in a container to look like our B&B, we have just chosen not to do it,” he said. Heidrich’s purchases container sizes from #5 up to #30 from its suppliers for its customers. Most of the trees come in easy-to-handle, black plastic pots though some like aspens and evergreens come in root control bags. “If evergreens are not rooted well in the bags, they need straw baskets to attach the root ball to the trunk for transport, or they can get loose,” Heidrich said. “We used to get air pots 15 years ago, but it was too humid where they came from, and they did not work here in our arid climate.” If the soil media is too light, it can make it difficult for the tree to retain enough water, Heidrich emphasized. He orders from suppliers who use heavier potting A tree is removed from an in-ground pot to prepare for delivery. continues on next page »