Washington is a beautiful state to live in with many places to explore. There are also plenty of things to do outside, one of which is planting and growing trees! Washington has some great tree farms that will help you find the perfect tree for your space. This guide will take you through how to plant and care for your new addition so it can grow big and strong!
The Best Flowering Trees to Grow in Washington
Stella D'Oro Daylily Plant
As the name can imply, Daylilies are beautiful and lovely for a limited time only. Stella lives up to its name with beautiful blooms from early summer until late Fall. There are many reasons why Daylilies are so popular. Not only is it the first to bloom in the spring and one of the last to be finished up during summer, but it's also high-performing and easy to grow - which makes for an alluring plant. The Stella plant is one of the best performers and most adaptable trees that you can use in your yard. Whether at your front entrance in a pot or used as part of your landscape, the Stella will transform your yard from ordinary to extraordinary.
Planting & Care
Stella D'Oro trees thrive in full sun, so make sure the area you choose for planting has these conditions. Plant in a well-drained open area. First, dig a hole deep enough to accommodate your Stella's root ball. Then carefully lower Holly into the hole and backfill her roots with soil. Finally, water the area around your newly planted tree to settle its roots. To plant in a container, there's a fairly simple task. Just make sure you select an appropriately sized pot, add enough organic soil to reach the root ball, and choose plants with drainage holes if they don't already have them. Plant care is especially important for Daylilies, and watering should happen about once a week. If you're not sure when to water your plant, simply check surrounding soil for dryness 2 inches (or farther) down the dirt.
Eastern Redbud
The Eastern Redbud, which is prized for its vibrant pink flowers and blooms early each year, marks the transition from winter to spring. This tree’s leaves change color throughout the seasons but require no upkeep or guesswork like many flowering trees. Despite its delicate appearance, the Eastern Redbud is one of the hardiest trees. It’s strong enough to withstand temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit and resists ice damage with ease! Plus, it grows well in all sorts of soil types. You get a rounded canopy that provides privacy and blocks the sun without all the work a flowering tree requires. One of the best reasons to grow Eastern Redbuds is that they can fit into any size garden. Their vibrant spring flowers, powdery green leaves, and wide-reaching branches will turn your garden's appearance from bleak to brilliant in no time at all.
Planting & Care
Select planting areas with well-drained soil and at least four to six hours of sunshine. Dig a hole that is twice the size of your tree's root ball and as deep. Place the tree in the hole and backfill with soil, checking to make sure it is stable before adding any more. Be sure to water thoroughly and mulch around the base of your tree with 3-4 inches of organic material (smells nice). When watering a newly planted tree make sure to water the soil next to it, not just from the bottom of the root ball. This way you will have a better idea if your tree needs water sooner than you might think. Years vary, but it is safe to say that after one year your Redbud can thrive on rainfall alone. We recommend checking the soil level and watering if needed. In early spring, apply compost or a complete fertilizer every 6 months to the root zone of the plant, following label instructions. Unnecessary or crossing branches should be removed in early summer after the tree has finished blooming. When you need to trim branches, do not leave any stubs and space your cuts gradually over a few months. In late winter, remove dead or damaged wood and shoot from the bottom of the trunk.
The Best Shade Trees in Washington
Red Sunset Maple Tree
The Red Sunset Maple is one of the best varieties on the market for delivering deeply colorful foliage weeks before other varieties. With deep, dazzling red hues that develop up to one month in advance, this tree provides a rich array of fall colors as soon as October or November. The Red Sunset Maple tree is an instant sensation, displaying rich, vivid color where other maples can't. Whether you're in a climate with temperatures down to -20 degrees or if it's hot, the Red Sunset variety of trees tends to take on intense colors. It is more drought-resistant than other varieties too, so it maintains it is great-looking despite little water consumption. Plus, its strong branching stands up to high winds and sustained storms well also. Easily grown in a variety of locations, the Red Sunset Maple tree displays brilliant colors. Plant one near your front walkway and marvel at its vibrant hues that gracefully change with different times of the day.
Planting & Care
First, choose a full to partial sun location. Any area with a maximum of 6 hours of direct sunlight and well-drained soil is best for this Red Sunset tree. Dig a hole in the dirt. Fill with enough soil and water to get your tree settled. Remember, a minimum of four feet should be between the tree and anything that could damage it. When planting a Red Sunset Maple, you should initially water it during dry spells for the first few years. Generally, It should survive well enough with rainfall alone. When preparing to cut your tree down, do it after the buds break in late winter. Cutaway dead or damaged branches to the nearest healthy bud at any time of year.
Dura Heat River Birch
The Dura Heat River Birch is a fast-growing tree for cold and hot climates. In addition, this versatile tree can tolerate moist or soggy conditions that other trees cannot grow in. If you're looking for a tree that thrives in wet, flood-prone areas with dense soil, this is the one for you. These trees grow fast, which means they can be planted swiftly anywhere in the landscape. These trees are fairly compact and do well when planted near pollutants like cars and buildings.
Planting & Care
Birch Trees grow in nearly any area but prefer soil that is rich in nutrients. Choose a spot that will provide 6-8 hours of sunlight and dig your hole 3 times the width of the root ball. Plant the tree upright in the ground, then fill it back up with soil leaving enough space for root growth. If you're planting young trees, make sure they are staked so they don't fall over while growing taller. It's important to keep your tree watered once you've planted it, so initially soak the root system with a slow-release water hose for two hours. Be sure to use mulch around the base of the tree to help stabilize it. After a year, stakes can usually be removed. To see if your tree is sturdy enough: Shake its center - if it has no movement and lies flat on the ground, then it should be safe to remove any support wires from around its trunk. During the growing season, give your Birch deep waterings each week. You may need to increase these during periods of extreme heat or drought. Towards the end of August, reduce watering so your tree can enter its dormant period. Birches should be fertilized twice, once in the spring and again in the summer. In late spring and early summer, access the tree’s root system for growth with a product that targets acidified evergreens. Pure 10-10-10 fertilizer will do just fine when diluted to 10 percent of its original strength. Pruning is best performed in early autumn or late summer. To start, remove side shoots and suckers by using a sterilized pair of shears. Then decide which branches to remove and make sure you do not cut more than 25% of the tree canopy. Prune branches that are less than 2 inches thick close to the trunk.
The Best Fruit Trees in Washington
American Hazelnut Filbert
The American Hazelnut is a prolific and easy to tame shrub that thrives in eastern U.S. woodlands and prairies, well suited for garden living. Planted and left to take root for just 1-3 years will yield up to 25 pounds of sweet, nutty nuts. Hazelnuts are mainly known for their rich flavor and versatility, but they also have medicinal benefits to offer. Compared to grain or nut, the kernel is easily extracted and provides many protein-rich nutrients. The goodness of these kernels comes in the raw or lightly toasted form. This native tree can grow vertically over eighteen feet and has large, sparse leaves. Once mature, the foliage of a River Birch is fluffy with hairs and varies in shades from red-brown to golden-yellow. Hazelnut trees produce nuts that forest inhabitants enjoy. Squirrels, rabbits, deer, and a variety of birds love their tasty but nutrient-rich nuts. Male flowers provide food for whiskered animals in winter, while the tree's leaves are also nutritious to other woodland creatures. This is a hardy plant that takes little to no work. The hazelnut bush has roots in America and can withstand many different climates, Even though it is fairly small, the American Hazelnut fits into most environments. It can be pruned for size and shape needs, while its broad leaves make it perfect for privacy or windbreaks.
Planting & Care
The American Hazelnut Filbert grows well in slightly acidic to near-neutral soil, but it will not grow in soils with a pH above 7. For acidity, sulfur can be added as an amendment. Add granular fertilizers only if you are after flowers and nuts; an excessive dose will inhibit flowering. Depending on their environment, they would rather be found in loamy soil with slightly acidic properties. Plant in late winter or early spring once the frost is out of the ground. Make a hole wide enough to fit your container and fill it with water, then let it drain into the surrounding soil to loosen up the dirt. If the root mass has natural material like burlap around it, remove the wires or rope and pull the burlap away from the base of the bush. If the covering is synthetic, remove it completely. If root bound, cut any stray roots near the top with sharp hand pruners. The shrub should be level with the ground in your garden. Extend out the level of this hole to accommodate how deep it is in its pot. Fill this hole, and then water thoroughly. Leave a moat around the root ball made out of the soil that you weren't able to fill back into the hole. Mulching should be about 1-2” away from the base of the shrub, and any root suckers that might appear on a new plant need to be cut off just below ground level. The first year after planting is an important period in a shrub’s growth. Water often, as you would with plants for the rest of your life. After the second year, it will start to take care of itself and conserve water more efficiently. Filberts should avoid fertile soils with too much fertilizer, as the plants will often put all of their energy into growing foliage and few if any flowers. Mulch will cover up weeds. If your planting site is covered with sod, remove the sod and replace it with child-friendly soil. The most common disease is ‘eastern filbert blight’. Consult your local Cooperative Extension or Nursery for tips on identifying the disease and controlling its spread. Leaf roller moths are a common problem when they hatch. In the larval stage, these insects can roll leaves and create webs under branches as they feed on them. Though insecticides provide little to no relief-cut off affected branches and dispose of them far away from the site or by burning. When pruning, do so in the winter. Aim for an open orientation of the branches and shoots for improved air circulation. Cleanliness and sharp tools are important to prevent fungus from infecting your tree's bark. When removing old growth, cut clear to the ground. One-third of the oldest branches should be removed at a time and overcrowded areas should be thinned out while crossing branches are cut off as they inhibit open growth. Fallen branches should also be removed from the root area.
Heritage Everbearing Raspberry Plant
A heritage everbearing raspberry plant is a new hybrid of the berry bush that produces larger and tastier berries. They also have stronger resistance to disease and drought than other varieties. In a single year, without harsh chemicals or excessive watering, they produce fruit while enabling your family to enjoy a fresh harvest all season long. Heritage Everbearing Raspberries are not only popular but also hardy and can handle a variety of climates. Even though the Heritage makes a great houseplant, it is not limited to planting in containers. This variety can be grown from Maine down to Texas and are cold hardy to -20 degrees. These trees also only need water for small intervals of time before they establish themselves and undergo drought tolerance.
Planting & Care
Find a location that offers full sun and evenly-drained soil. Make sure your tree has a large enough hole, place the Heritage, and backfill with soil. To plant in a container consider these options for size: you will need a pot with drainage holes that is at least as large as your Heritage's ship container. Fill it with organic soil and lay the heritage down. Make sure the roots are settled before adding water to help establish them. Raspberry plants need to be watered at least once a week. Before watering, check the soil's dryness by feeling around 2 inches of dirt and water when it feels dry. Apply compost with a small amount of balanced organic fertilizer, late in the winter. When the raspberries have finished fruiting for the season, cut back all of the sides by hand shoots manually.
When is The Best Time to Plant Trees in Washington
Spring and summer are the best times to plant new trees in Washington. Spring is especially prime because the soil will be warming up from its winter hibernation, so it's a good time for that tree you've been eyeing! Fall can also work if your climate falls into an area where winters aren't too harsh or frequent- but spring seems like more of a natural choice just because most people want their yard done before they wake up on Saturday morning to do outdoor chores.
Can You Plant All Season Long?
Yes! Washington State is an excellent place to plant trees. This state has a mild climate and does not experience extremely cold weather, which means you can continue planting in the winter months.
What are The Best Trees to Plant Each Season in Washington
Springtime
There's plenty to choose from, but here are a few that thrive during spring: Lilac, Magnolia, Redbud.
Summertime
Some great choices include Black Gum and Dogwood Trees. These two make excellent additions to any yard!
Fall time
What about some of our favorite fall-colored trees? Umpqua Maples turn bright red before dropping their leaves while Ponderosa Pines grow an amazing gold color as they mature.
Wintertime
In the winter months, you'll want to keep your eyes peeled for Scotch Pine Trees. These trees are not only cold-hardy but they also produce a sweet scent!
What Trees Have The Least Invasive Roots in Washington
The least invasive trees in Washington are the Black Walnut, Sweetgum, and Willow trees. These trees are all in the same botanical family and have roots that grow slowly.
