Two weeks ago I flew across country to plant my tree firmly in his new ground; that is, I took my brother to a summer program at Cornell to kick off his first year of college. I took my sister to college, Dallas took me to college, and (with no adoption of babies from struggling countries.... ask my mother)I took him to college. It's a tradition that we didn't mean to create (I mean really.... was my mom supposed to leave the other child in an apartment in Brooklyn during these trips?), but it is tradition nonetheless. I didn't really have money for it, but despite what appears to be an unconventionally working mind, there is a traditional heart that it is employed by. Planting a tree sounded kind of interesting to me and, since I am comparing my brother to one, I thought it might be wise to look up some tips:
1) Select the right time of year for planting your tree. Do not plant in late spring or summer because heat will stress the plant. The best time to plant is fall or early spring:
OOPS.... hmmmm...well, he is only there for six weeks and then we technically will replant him more towards the fall. Good luck getting through the summer, buddy.
2) The most common mistake is digging a hole which is both too deep and too narrow. Too deep and the roots don't have access to sufficient oxygen. Too narrow and the root structure can't expand:
My family is my brother's oxygen. He calls even on days he is not required to except Fridays (hmmmm.... you ain't slick!). He knows that if he has a question, even as silly as, "Mom, where are my extra pencils?", he will not be made to be embarrassed or feel unsupported. We are, however, far away enough not to constrict his airway. Check
3) As a general rule trees should be transplanted no deeper than the soil in which they were originally grown:
We were raised to be the best.... it is what it is. I went to an Ivy; he's at an Ivy. Check
2 out of 3 ain't bad.
