Getting Ready
Before you get to the planting stage, we recommend that you have ALREADY DONE the following:
1. Organized a planning committee that is committed to the success of the planting project. The committee should include the school Principal and the head of grounds maintenance.
2. Determined how students will have a vested interest in the project. This is usually best attained through involvement in design, planting and follow-up care.
3. Surveyed your school grounds and considered the following: your reasons for planting (shading, habitat creation, aesthetics, fruit production); where the trees and shrubs will survive best (student foot traffic, potential vandalism, soft ground surface as opposed to paving, soil type, light, confined space, conflicts with other trees, overhead wires, drainage, exposure to prevailing winds and salt)
4. Located underground utilities by contacting Ontario One-Call at 905-709-1717
5. Devised a care and maintenance plan. This should include a short-term plan (who will water and replace mulch during the school year and over the summer months, how will we prevent physical damage and vandalism?) and a long-term plan (how will we ensure long-term survival of the trees, preventative care and pruning, etc.)
The following will help you determine best planting locations.
| Site Conditions | For Shrubs | For Trees |
|---|---|---|
| Area of soft surface required | 3' x 3' | 15' x 15' |
| Distance from fence/property line | 3' | 3' |
| Distance from hard surfaces (deck+ paving) | 3' | 8' |
| Distance from buildings with foundations | 3' | 10' |
| Distance from existing trees | 8' | 20' |
| Overhead wires | not an issue | avoid |
| Raised beds or container planting | not recommended | never |
6. Select Appropriate Species for Your School Yard. Selecting the appropriate species for your site is imperative to the long-term success and health of your trees and shrubs. Be sure to consider the following:
Size of planting area:
The size of your planting area partially determines what size and number of trees you can plant. Keep in mind the mature height and spread of the trees. Also think about current use of the space where you want to plant. Will there be any conflicting uses?
Light requirements:
Is the tree location sunny or shady? Does it get sun for half the day? Select a tree that will thrive with the light conditions you have.
Soil requirements:
Always consider drainage and soil texture when selecting your new tree. Many trees are suited to clay soil while others prefer well-drained, sandy soil. Selecting the right species will mean your tree will be more likely to thrive.
Preference:
Think about what characteristics you would like your new tree to have. Do you want berries to attract birds, or do you want a tree that will have a certain fall colour? Do you want your tree to provide shade or perhaps fast growth rate is important to you?
Native species:
These are species that occur naturally in our climate zone. Since they are well adapted to the conditions here, they require little watering and maintenance to thrive.
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