Native Plants

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Sunday - February 13, 2011
From: Waxhaw, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Compost and Mulch, Planting, Trees
Title: Are Eastern White Pine suitable for Waxhaw NC
Answered by: Brigid & Larry Larson
QUESTION:
Pinus strobus ( White Pine )- I wish to plant four of these evergreens along our property lines as a screen. Our county is selling one foot plants in a container. Our soil is clay. Are these trees suitable for our area ? Thank you.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants thinks you have a reasonably good choice there.
Pinus strobus (Eastern white pine) has a native population in North Carolina; however these natural stands appear to be primarily to the west and in the great Smokey Mountains. Depending on how clayey your soil is, you are correct to be concerned about how successful they will be. The plant record for the Eastern white pine indicates that its native habitat is upland, mesic sand or loam sites, north slopes, or rocky stream banks. The soils that they like are fertile, moist, well-drained soils, and like most pines they prefer an acidic soil. Do you have other pines living close successfully? If so, then the Eastern White Pine will likely do just fine there, especially if you give them loving care in the first two to three years as they establish themselves.
It strikes me that if the County is selling the trees, that is a fair indication that they can be planted successfully and also that you have knowledgeable people to ask about the success of growing that tree in your local area! However, if the folks selling the trees appear to be less than knowledgeable – you may want to go directly to the County Extension office. The Union County Extension has a nice website here.
You should have planting instructions that come with the trees. If not, here are the basics:
Dig the hole as deep as the tree is planted in its container. Make the hole wide so the roots will have plenty of room to grow. Cover the hole back with the original soil, mulch with some compost, making sure the mulch is pulled back 2 inches from the base of the tree. Water thoroughly and deeply.
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