Trees grown in containers are becoming increasingly popular. Homeowners without large yards are realizing that they can have all of the beauty (and most of the benefits) of owning a tree, even in small spaces.
Types of Tree Boxes
Tree boxes come in a variety of different materials from ceramic glass to recycled plastics to cedar. For several reasons (which will be covered later) cedar tree boxes generally make the best choice.
Like other plants, you can put trees into small, moveable containers or large, more permanent structures. Some find it best to graduate their trees to larger and larger containers as they get older. You can use as many as three or more containers on a single tree. The main thing is that you want your tree, as well as its box, to compliment your yard. That’s one of the best things about a plain cedar tree boxes: They work well in just about any surrounding.
Things to Consider
There are several things to consider when it comes to picking your tree box. The first, and most obvious, is how big the tree will grow to be. While it may be easy to move a 3-4-foot tree into a slightly larger box, you don’t want to have to move a larger 8-9-foot tree more than you have to as it can become rather burdensome. So, if possible, you should consider a tree’s move from its first (or second box) when it’s in the 3-5-foot range into its next tree box something like a “final” move. And you have to think not only about the trunk and branches of the tree, but also its roots—the roots of some trees require more room than others. As a general rule, in order to give your tree, the best possible insulation, your tree box should be about as wide as it is high.
Another thing to think about is the overall weight of the tree. Don’t underestimate how much soil and water can add to the overall weight of your tree box. This is an especially important consideration if you are placing the tree box on a roof terrace or balcony.
Another thing to consider is the type of tree you are planting in the box and the kind of environment it needs to thrive. Not all trees are meant to survive in tree boxes. You certainly wouldn’t want to try planting a sequoia! Most dwarf conifer trees, however, usually do quite well in cedar boxes. This includes evergreen species’ like the English Yew and Holly trees. As for the tree’s environment, research how much sun and water the plant needs to survive. Also, don’t forget that box trees can easily be overwatered if you leave them under a ledge or part of your roof that has run-off from the rain.
What’s so Great about Cedar Tree Boxes?
Cedar tree boxes have a number of other benefits (aside from the aesthetic) over other types of material. The first is that cedar tree boxes are green. They are, in other words, both biodegradable and reusable. They’re also porous. Planting your tree in a porous wood like cedar allows it to drain excess water, which protects it from being overwatered in a way that plastic tree boxes simply cannot. Finally, cedar tree boxes are easy-to-use and inexpensive. You can expand cedar tree boxes or simply replace them when your tree needs to move up to a bigger size and you shouldn’t have any trouble with it because the roots and soil will all be molded into place and ready to move out and into a new cedar box.
