Landscape Pitfalls
Myths,
Mistakes, and
Misconceptions
The Landscape is a “System”
Fertilization
Pruning
Irrigation
Mulching
Mowing
Pest Management
Where are the roots?
Lateral roots grow far beyond the drip line; Fine roots are
concentrated in the top 12” of soil with many in the top 2”.
Excavated Tree Roots
Excavated Shrub Roots
(This juniper had been
planted less than a year)
Knowing where the roots are…
Do these construction practices make sense?
Warning!
The following images may be
disturbing to Master Gardeners.
Buttress roots visible
Not visible
Knowing where the roots are…
How protected are most of the tree roots?
Knowing where the roots are…
Do these fertilizer practices make sense?
“Deep Root” Fertilizing
Fertilizing to the Dripline
When we water
and fertilize the
lawn…
…we’re watering
and fertilizing tree
and shrub roots too.
Site and Design
Pitfalls
“Inherited Problems”
Site or Design Pitfalls
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Buried building
debris
Fill soil
Soil compaction
Poor drainage
Wrong plants
Poorly designed
irrigation system
Building Debris
Shell, lime rock, concrete,
and stucco are very
alkaline in pH.
Fill Soil
Soil
Compaction
In process
The result
Poor Drainage
Coping with a wet site:
1. Choose plants tolerant of wet soils.
2. Plant on berms, mounds, or raised beds.
3. Provide internal drainage.
Wrong Plant/
Wrong Place
Coping with a shaded lawn:
 Mow as high as possible.
 Select shade tolerant
turf species or ground
covers.
Wrong Plant/
Wrong Place
Poorly
Designed
Irrigation
System
Planting and
Establishment Pitfalls
Planting and
Establishment Pitfalls
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Poor quality plants
Improper planting
techniques
Inadequate time and
water to establish
Competing grass
Improper staking
Poor Quality
Plants
Poor Quality Plants
Young Tree
with Poor
Structure
=
Hazardous
Mature Tree
Planting

Call Before You Dig!
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One call: 811 or 800-432-4770
Utilities will mark underground lines –
free!
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Know What’s Below
Prepare the rootball for planting
Locate point where the first
main root meets the trunk
Cut circling roots
Prepare the rootball for planting
Shave off the outside and
bottom of rootball
Plant with shaved rootball
(right) is ready for planting
The “NEW” Planting Hole
Backfill amendments… or not?
Site Preparation
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Loosen soil
Little research to support amending the
planting hole
Some research supports amending the
entire planting site
“Volcano Mulching” – Bad!
No mulch over root ball – Good!
Proper
Planting
Techniques
 Wider, not deeper
 Remove soil and roots over root flare
 Top of root ball level with or above soil
surface
 Backfill with existing soil or amend entire site
 No mulch or soil on root ball; 3” at edge
 No fertilizer at planting time
Establishment of Trees
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Takes 3-6 months/inch of trunk diameter
For survival: Irrigate 2x week
For vigor: Daily; then every other day
(see Table 1 – ENH856)
Apply 2-3 gallons per inch of trunk diameter
Establishment of Shrubs
(3-Gallon)
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Takes 20-28 weeks to establish
Water every 8 days in north FL; every 4
days in south FL
Apply one gallon per irrigation (~1/4” rain)
Apply water directly to the rootball
Once established, only water during
prolonged hot, dry weather (the first year)
Mulch at least to dripline
Credit: ISA – International Society of Arboriculture
http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/
Roots of this
magnolia tree
grew 8 feet in the
first year after
planting.
Refer to:
ENH 856 – Specifications for Planting Trees and
Shrubs in the Southeastern U.S.
ENH1129 – Planting Shrubs in FL Landscapes
ENH1130 – Establishing Shrubs in FL Landscapes
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/
Native vs Non-Native Plants
UF Research
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Compared 10 most popular native plants
with 10 most popular non-native plants.
Established them from 1-gallon plants.
20 replicates of each – half irrigated; half not
irrigated.
Four species of each responded to irrigation.
Others did not.
Staking: 3 Rules of Thumb
 Stake only when necessary.
 Attach ties as low as possible.
 Remove staking
materials within
the same year.
Transplanting Palms
 Spring and early
summer best.
 Size of root ball
important – varies
by species.
 Plant at proper depth.
 Prune?
Proper palm
staking
Landscape Pitfalls
Myths,
Mistakes, and
Misconceptions