Plant Selection

Selecting Shrubs at the Nursery

• Size matters – shrub size that is• It’s important to look for shrubs with

size proportional to its container• Shrubs should have a full, well

developed, symmetrical canopy with well placed branches

Selecting Trees at the Nursery

• Trees should have a relatively straight trunk with an adequate trunk taper

• Never accept trees with a reverse taper• A reverse taper on a trunk appears

narrower at the base the higher up the trunk

• When selecting trees, look for well developed, symmetrical canopy and well placed branches

Root Development

• Check the roots – slide plants out of the containers and inspect the root system

• Never accept plants with any signs of root rot

• Roots should be white or light colored and firm

• Dark and mushy roots are dead and/or rotten

• A sour, unpleasant smell coming from the root ball can indicate root rot

Root Rot

Root Bound Woody Plants

• A.K.A. pot bound plants• Plants that have been too long in their

pots• Roots hit sides and bottoms, circle

around eventually chocking the plant• Pot bound plants never really root well

into the surrounding soil• Always avoid buying root bound woody

plants

Root Bound

Root Bound

Pot Bound Monocots

• These are usually salvageable• Many monocots benefit from being pot

bound • Many monocot species flower better

when pot bound• Because of the fibrous root system of

monocots they can be teased apart or even easily divided

Girdling Roots

• These are roots than circle around the trunk or other larger roots

• Girdling roots can cut off the circulation at eh crown of a plant

• This eventually leads to plant failure• Larger plants often fall• “Dog-leg” roots on the surface will also

girdle the trunk- if they are small enough they can be removed

Girdling Roots

• Girdling roots are usually a function of the plant being pot bound for too long

• Never accept plants with girdling or “dog-leg” roots

Plant Diseases

• Inspect plants carefully for any signs of disease – biotic or abiotic

• Biotic diseases are caused by “living” organisms– Bacteria– Fungus– Viruses

• Abiotic diseases are caused by non-living organisms– Smog– Sun burn or scale– Frost damage– Fertilizer damage– Herbicide damage

Plant Diseases

• Look for plants that are showing signs of disease including:– Leaf-spots– Discoloration of the stems– Cankers or lesions on stems, branches or

trunk– Rotted roots– Wilting

• Don’t accept plants that are showing disease symptoms

In General

• Reputable nurseries typically do not intentionally sell bad plant materials

• Never accept plants that are not in good shape

• Do not accept plants if they appear to:• Be root bound• Have girdling roots• Show signs of disease • Have an insect infestation