Trees are great for our environment, and they can also make your property more appealing. Trees require a lot of maintenance though, so it's important to know how to grow them correctly. Luckily, the guide to growing trees in Maine will make it much easier than it was before!
The Best Flowering Trees to Grow in Maine
Bloomerang Lilac Tree
If you love the colors from lilacs but want a longer blooming season, take a look at our Bloomerang Lilac Tree. For starters, this tree flowers twice per year – once in May and then again from July until the first frost. The bloomerang lilac has a delightful fragrance and is perfect for planting near your outdoor living areas, including patios, pools, or gardens. It’s small enough to fit just about anywhere in your landscape too, whether that’s next to your porch or inside the flowerbeds.
Planting & Care
Before planting, select a location with full sun and well-drained soil. Once you’ve selected a location, dig a hole twice the size of your tree’s root ball. Place the tree in the ground, fill it halfway with soil, water to settle roots,and top with additional dirt. Bloomerang lilac trees are fairly drought-resistant, but it’s important to have a regular watering schedule before then. We recommend watering about once weekly for best results. If you can't tell when to water, check the soil about 2 or 3 inches down. If it's dry there, you should take care of that as soon as possible. You should fertilize your Bloomerang only after it starts blooming, preferably with a well-balanced fertilizer once or twice a year. To keep your tree as small and healthy as possible, you should light trim it after the blooms start forming.
Little Lime Hydrangea Tree
If you enjoy the benefits of Limelight Hydrangea but lack space for a large specimen, consider Little Lime. From tight borders to plant beds and even containers on your porch or patio, our smaller tree is well-suited for most areas. The Lime Hydrangea offers rich color and full blooms for months at a time, as well as cold hardiness down to 10 or even 20 degrees. The vivid green of its summer flowers transitions to pink in the fall (making it ideal as your garden’s centerpiece).
Planting & Care
There are many factors to consider when planting your Little Lime Hydrangea Tree. Select a spot with full sun and well-drained soil. You can also plant in a container, but make sure it has drainage holes in the bottom. Dig a hole twice the size of your root ball, just as deep. Place your tree and tamped down soil around it, then water thoroughly. Apply mulch on top after planting for added moisture conservation. Your Hydrangea needs water and food to grow well. Check the soil around your plant for dryness about 2-3 inches down with a finger, if it is dried out then add water. If you have an established plant then watering once or twice weekly is fine until fall. Feed frequently during the growing season with a general-purpose fertilizer following instructions on the label and prune annually in early winter for best results.
The Best Shade Trees in Maine
Quaking Aspen Tree
If you're looking for a tree that's both long-lasting and beautiful, we recommend the Quaking Aspen. This tree will give you bright yellow leaves in the fall stunning against its white bark. An amazing tree in every sense, it gets its name from its shimmering heart-shaped leaves, as well as its characteristic tremble or quake when a light breeze passes through it. Known for its adaptability to various climates and poor soil, the Quaking Aspen Tree grows at a rapid rate of up to 5 feet per year. Especially notable are its beautiful fall colors.
Planting & Care
If your yard or home is typically shady, place your potted tree in the shade. When planting your trees, they must be in a place that gets 6+ hours of sun. The Quaking Aspen is quite adaptable to many soil types but requires a well-draining soil. Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the root system of the plant you are working with. Hold the tree straight while backfilling in the hole and then water it before mulching around it. Trees need plenty of water during the first year, particularly in hot summer months. Drooping leaves can indicate either over or under-watering Fertilization and watering should be done weekly with a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 formula.
Autumn Purple Ash Tree
The Autumn Purple Ash is a popular tree due to its vibrant colors and quick growth. It is easier and more carefree than most other varieties because it thrives in a variety of soil types and can survive in dry conditions. The Purple Ash boasts a color that ranges from dark green in the summer to a brilliant purple for fall. The show doesn't end there; it holds its fall colors longer than any other tree variety, so you can enjoy it all season long! A favorite for many homeowners, the Autumn Purple Ash is a tree that has plenty of great qualities. With wide leaves, this tree blocks sunlight and cuts your cooling bills in the summertime. When you get one of these trees, you get an attractive ornamental tree that also stands up to its environment and can increase property value. The Autumn Purple Ash thrives in Maine and beyond. This tree is resistant to most pests and lasts generation after generation.
Planting & Care
Purple Ash Trees are moderately drought tolerant and easy to grow in a wide variety of soil conditions. Purple Ash Tree’s foliage is similar to fruit trees as it is a nitrogen-fixing tree(when the leaves fall, they leave organic matter). Dig your hole in a spot that receives at least 4 continuous hours of sun per day, but prefers areas that pick up about 5 hours of sunlight each day. The root ball should be about twice the size of the base’s diameter and just as deep as its height. Place the tree inside and press down on the soil to fill it halfway back in. Don’t forget to water before filling! It’s best to water the roots of Autumn Purple Ash trees weekly to help them establish and develop. To do this, place a hose with slow trickling water at its base for about 10 to 15 minutes each time you visit it. This tree prefers a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10. Apply it according to the instructions on the packaging in late summer. To encourage your Autumn Purple Ash to develop a fuller shape, you will need to prune it occasionally. Spring is the best time for this as it encourages new shoots which may cross over or grow straight up.
The Best Fruit Trees in Maine
Honeycrisp Apple Tree
Honeycrisp apples are a favorite of international consumers and for good reason. These apples have increased in popularity over recent years as people continue to find them delectable and delicious. Not only are they tasty, but a Honeycrisp Apple Tree grown in your backyard has the bonus of producing fruit without all that 'hassle' you can get from store-bought produce.
Planting & Care
To get your Honeycrisp tree growing, plant it in direct sunlight with well-drained soil. Dig a hole twice the width and depth of the root ball, place your tree inside, pelt it down, and water to settle. Then mulch this area to prevent weeds from coming up. To keep the Honeycrisp Apple hydrated, provide a sufficient amount of water once per week. If you can't tell when to irrigate your tree, check for new growth and water as soon as it appears. Once your tree has established itself and is starting to produce fruit, it will need periodic pruning. This should be done during periods of dormancy; remove vigorous upright stems or weak branches. Low-hanging droopy branches should also be removed where appropriate. Pruning can help production, so it's great for the health of your tree!
Horseradish Plant
The Horseradish Plant is a root vegetable that is most commonly enjoyed in its well-known condiment, "Horseradish." Surprisingly, it's also an attractive plant that grows to be vibrant - even without harvest! Horseradish plants are typically green and vibrant with large, wide leaves which sometimes have small white flowers during the summer. (Pull these flowers as they appear to maximize your plant's vigor!) Horseradish is easy to grow since it can be grown in the ground or a container as long as your pot is big enough because the edible roots can extend quite far. To make your horseradish sauce, you will need to mash the root and mix it well with vinegar. If you're interested in trying out this recipe at home, be sure to store the sauce in a cool place until served. The best part? Horseradish plants are rich in Vitamin C, calcium, iron, and potassium. And they’re incredibly easy to grow as long as you have space. These trees require virtually no care and provide very little upkeep.
Planting & Care
Horseradish plants thrive in full to partial sun. They need loose soil with organic matter, which should be planted in the springtime. If planting a horseradish plant in a container, make sure there is plenty of room for long edible roots. To plant it in a backyard, dig the hole large enough to fit the rootball. Remove everything but the roots from around the tree. If you are not sure when to water it, especially in dry times, check the soil about two inches deep. If the soil is dry there, water your Horseradish Plant well with a balanced fertilizer following package instructions. One year after planting in spring, or late fall as temperatures cool off, harvest by carefully picking up the plant roots with a trowel.
When is The Best Time to Plant Trees in Maine
The best time to plant trees in Maine is early springtime. This is the perfect opportunity to get your yard ready for summer! but it is important to understand in advance the types of trees to be planted. If you need a shade tree, for instance, then it's best to plant one during the fall or spring so that it has time to grow big enough before winter comes around. The best time to plant other types of trees depends on whether they're evergreen or deciduous and how hardy they are.
Can You Plant All Season Long?
The answer is yes! It's not always easy to do so, but it can be done. With some careful planning, you can still make sure your garden looks beautiful all year long. Even though it's not the height of the gardening season, some plants will grow all year round.
What are The Best Trees to Plant Each Season in Maine
Springtime
In the springtime, you want a tree with delicate blossoms or bright foliage to bring some life back into your yard after months of snowdrifts. It is recommended to plant a flowering dogwood, crabapple, or redbud.
Summertime
In the summertime, you want a tree that is tall enough to shade your yard and give it some much-needed fresh air. You can plant an oak, maple, or poplar during this time of year.
Fall time
In autumn many homeowners will choose a fruit-bearing tree where they can sit in their backyard with a bowl of apples or cherries while enjoying nature's beauty as the leaves change color before falling from the trees back into the soil below for next season. Plum is another good option here because its flowers bloom pinkish-white and last all through winter giving off natural snow cover fragrance when planted close to window sills so you'll always know what kind of season it is outside even if you're stuck inside all day!
Wintertime
In the winter, you're looking for a tree that will provide color and good cheer during those long dreary days. You can plant a dogwood, a witch hazel, or even an evergreen.
What Trees Have The Least Invasive Roots in Maine
The trees with the least invasive roots are those which live in water or wet soil all year-long such as Bald Cypress, White Birch, Black Gum Trees, Red Maple Trees, and Eastern Cottonwood Trees.
