Several times each month, I am diagnosing shrub and tree problems in Escambia County that are related to the same issue, improper planting.  Symptoms of this problem can be slow growth, leaf browning, and dieback.  Sometimes under stressful weather conditions like drought, plants completely die.

This is a difficult sight for homeowners who have invested time and money in a tree or shrub to enhance the landscape.  In some cases, the planting issues can be fixed but there are other times when a new plant will need to be installed.

The good news for homeowners is that this is a completely preventable issue.  The University of Florida has excellent publications with photos about installing and caring for trees and shrubs.  My Panhandle colleagues and I have also shared numerous articles and videos on proper plant installation.

Care must be taken during installation to set your plant at the correct depth.  Even if a landscaper or nursery is installing the plant for you, check their work.  Make sure the rootball is cut or sliced, it is not set below grade, that any straps holding the rootball are cut after it is set, and proper backfilling occurs without soil over the top of the rootball.

You don’t want to find out later in the season or even year’s later that your plant declined just because of planting problems.

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