FLOOD06155

• County: Statewide
• Community: State
• Stream Name: All
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Storms Over the Urban Forest: A Community Guide to Disaster Relief
• Date: 1/1/1994
• Prepared For: State of Colorado
• Prepared By: USFWS
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

What About Planters?

Under some urban conditions there is no allernative to planting trees in planters
01' containers. Because of the severe conditions of restJ;cted space for roots and
exposure to freezing, it is essential to use a container thai is as broad and deep as
space allows. (Hools freeze more easily in llalTo\V containers: the recommended
minimum is 5' hy 2' deep.)
When considering using planter's. J'ccognize that regular, conscientious
maintenance \-vill be needed and that the tree's longevity \-",ill be relatively short.
requiring replacement. Other tips:
. In dl~v weather' dUJing the gro\lving season, \vater at a rate equivalent to I" of rain
per week.
. Slope the uollom slightly Iowan:) small-diameter drain tile or 1" plastic pipe \\-ith
holes drilled in it. \Vrap in filter pads to pl't~vent clogging and cover \'vith 1" of sand,
If no outlet is possible, place tile over' gravel to help remove excess wale):
. To reduce \-veight and aid aeration. a soil mix of coarse sand, organic matter or
perlite, and a small amount of loam soil is necessaI)'. Ask an arholist or nursel)'
specialist what is used locall)-:
. The soil pH should he bet\.'veen 6.0 and 7.0.
. To help keep tree size small. fertilize only if a nutrient deficiency is indicated tby leaf
discolol'ationl.

A Few More Successful Species:

Crahapple
CallelY Pear
~:lollntainash

HoneylOt:ust
Nm'....ay Maple
Littleleaf Linden

Good
Seat-waD ,.;-round-Ie\'el planter, plantml nt
gradt~. This planter has a neat appearance,
fair aeration and root room, is convenient 10
v.'atel; provides a place I'm' people to sit and
has a good sense of pennanencc, Trees
planted in sm:h a container are generally safe
from snow-melt sail. are easy to mulch, and
have nomlal fl"ost tolerance, The container
pl'Ovides ~ood drainage and offers a place to
planr llowers. Disadvanlages: The:o>e containers
arc (~xpensive to build or buy. difficult 10 de.m.
may restrict pede:o>tl'ian traffic and may
inted'm'c with snow rcmoval operations_ Root
constrktioll limits the numher uf species
suitable fOl' plmlting in the open holtom
contaillel~

Pin Oak
River Bir'Ch
Swamp \Vhite Oak

Green Ash
Austrian Pine
Hawthorn

Difficult
RaiP.ml planter with open bot1om, soil
level raiNoed not o".t~r 1 foot above lCrade.
'l'his cuntainel' is aesthetically pleasing. has
excellenl space detlnition. a stl'Ong sense of
pennancnce, and provides good drainage, a
place I' OJ' people to sit. and a place to plant
nO\\-'ers. Tn~es planted in this type of container
are genel'ally s..fe fmm snow-melt salt and a1'e
e<lsy to water ilnd mulch. Deep roots can
penetrate well helmv the frost line.
Disadvantages: These containers are expensive
10 install, are usually limited to outdour LIse.
and 11M....' intel1el'c \\o-;th snow removal
operations and pedeslrian traffic. Thel'f~ arc a
limited number of tree species suitahle for
planting in this t....Ve of conlainel' due to root
I't;~striction, Shallow feed(~I' roots of trces may
freeze. reducing tl'ee life.

- Adapted [['(nn Conf"irwrizt'd lh~e.<; fiw
Urban Seltjfl.~s hy Jean E. ()I~on, Iowa State
University
6. nUE (In. LS.o\ RUlETIS 1\0. 4 . "'''lion..1 Arbor Da,y foundatioll

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If you must use planlers in a cold climate. it's
best to use lal'ge ones \'vith several trees. The
earth mass helps protect the roots.

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~-lW;.t.;
-:'.jf~(\\ .... I - \l f~I'"

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Most Difficult
elm, ed-bottom container. This rontainer is
aesthetically pleasing, easy to install and move.
pro"ide:o> a sitting area. and is relatively safe
from snow-melt salt. Such containers provide
good definition of space and are readily
available al kmw"'11 cost in a wide variety of
sizes, shapes, materials. textures. and colors,
Trees planled in lhese containCl'S can be
placed in almost any location: f'..xolic species
Gan he used indoOl'S. Fluwers can be planted
in this (:ontainer. Di:<'i.l<lvantages: Trees planted
in c1osed.bottom containers are highly
susccptible to salt buildup from nOlmal
\vateling pl'nn~dllres lunless drainage holes
are prm;dedl, and to root fl'f~ezing, The
containers can hurst from wintcr freezing.
T1'ee species suitable for planling in this
container are VeT)' limited. Does not work in
colder areas of the country

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