Arboretum Update 2023

[@cs3742]

That long drone shot slowly pulling away from your home and showing the surrounding countryside was a marvelous way to end this week's video.

[@demmertp]

I agree with clearing out the grass around the seedlings. I think the recommended technique would be to clear about a 3 foot diameter around a seedling to give it a better chance to grow without competing with the grass for moisture. A clear area around the seedling will also deter rodent damage as they are exposed to predators within that cleared area. Here in PA I have switched from growing seedlings in tubes to wire cages to protect from deer browse. The tubes tend to make the seedlings weak to wind stresses and when they outgrow the tubes they have trouble standing upright. In a wire cage (1 foot diameter) the seedling will get pushed around by the winds and will grow stronger to resist those forces. Rodent damage over winter that occurs while the voles and mice are under the snow cover, eating all the bark at the ground level, is probably the main cause I see for young tree loss.

[@definitely_not_a_robot]

Really interesting, thanks for the suggestion! Does the wire cage prevent branching like the tubes do?

[@kevinwillis6707]

if you mulch round those trees for 3 or 4 feet the growth would be a lot better because the young tree wouldnt have to compete with the grass for nutrients and water.

[@mrpesky163]

Yes, mulch! He MIGHT have a little bit of sawdust that would work really well too😊

[@aBoogivogi]

He can also just put down some tarp

[@iseriver3982]

​@@aBoogivogi mulch is better. Comes with bacteria, breaks down into nutrients, is breathable and let's water in.

[@xephael3485]

​@@aBoogivogitarp would prevent them from getting water 💦.. you use landscaping fabric

[@locke3141]

This is honestly the first time I’ve ever heard that mulch actually provided a benefit beyond aesthetics. It makes sense. I’ve just never heard or considered it.

[@anthonygasparini1734]

Great job, Matt! Trees are a living memorial ❤. 40 years from now, your children will show their children the trees Grand dad planted. A long time ago, I started planting trees on the property for those friends and loved ones we lost. When I walk around with friends and family now, I point them out.

[@tedpreston4155]

You're right, Anthony! My dad spent the second half of his life planting trees around the ranch in Wyoming, where trees simply don't grow unless a human plants them and then cares for them for their first decade or so. After that, their roots are deep enough to reach water, without needing a human's help any longer. When people visit the ranch, not only do we show them the trees dad planted, we have even named the forest for him: Grandpa's forest. When he died, we scattered his ashes there.

[@johnbower5136]

Awesome. You’re out standing in your field

[@andymiller1803]

I really enjoy the arboretum updates. Even though they're once a year, I look forward to seeing the progress every year. I wish I had the space and large property to plant my own trees. For now, I'll have to follow your yearly updates.

[@dividivus]

Two weeks ago I have planted together with somebody I love a Himalayan birch tree (Betula utilis) on the top of a hill close to our city. Is taller than those in video, about 2,70 meter tall, hopefully the next year will have over 3 meters (~ 10 feet). And under the roots we have left a message inside a small watertight plastic container, hopefully nobody will read it in my lifetime. There is a saying, that every person should plant a tree in her/his lifetime, and if planting every year, that is better. Keep up the good work, be safe.

[@MrPossumeyes]

An arboretum is a worthy exercise, Matt. Big ups to you. For your afterbears.

[@mikeboone4425]

Give your trees some grow juice , i'm 81 now and I want to see them tall so go go . Happy Trails

[@michaelmcdermott2178]

Perhaps my favorite thing abut your channel.

[@andr0373]

There is obviously a ton of information and variables to consider with planting trees (I wouldn't even bother sorting through what might be in the youtube comments). It's nice the story on how you are trying it, keep us in the loop.

[@daveschoffstall4300]

Hi Matt, noticed you planted some Osage Orange trees. They are tuff trees and smart. Around here were we live, south central Kansas, they grow wild. They are the last ones to bring on their leaves when all freezing is done in the spring. Smart! We just cut down one that was struck by lightning and it measured 21” at the base with a 9’ stretch of straight wood. Counted the rings and estimate around 110 years old. We had it slabbed up in 1” and 2” pieces. Got two sets of 2” widest pieces in book match. Good luck and very good work on your oak floor.

[@daviddrake9467]

I trust that you gave the new trees a good water; the soil looked rather on the dry side, and make sure you water throughout the summer. Good luck with them, they'll be a really nice feature in years to come.

[@williammaxwell1919]

Too many people kill plants and trees by overwatering; the skill is to adequately water them when first transplanted, but more importantly, to plant and care for them in an appropriate way to ensure that the survive future neglect. After all, forrests (the trees and biota) co-evolved without human intervention, unless you're into the "classical English landscape" as created by landscape architect, Capability Brown, and captured for prosperity by Constable, Turner et al)

[@iseriver3982]

​@@williammaxwell1919 considering these trees have been planted by a human, and not by a forest, management is needed.

[@douglassiemens4245]

FYI on Osage Orange, aka Bois D'arc and Hedge Apple: Because of the thorns, these trees were planted in the prairies of the central US as natural fences. When planted closely together, the branches would intertwine and keep the pioneers' cattle enclosed AND also help deter predators. Their fruit contains a sap that repels insects, including cockroaches.

[@am2dan]

A squirrel hid and forgot an acorn in a large pot we'd once had peonies in but abandoned. Eventually we wanted to remove the pot and decided to transplant the little oak tree growing in it in the back yard. It's done well surviving a couple winters there and is now something like 12 feet tall or more. We don't know the exact species, though its leaves say it's in the red oak family. We just call it our pot oak.

[@OldsmobileCutlass1969Va]

I can't wait to see the 10 year update on all the trees!

[@alanblasczyk1779]

You are a good steward Matt. I love that your legacy will live on Sir !

[@Kyle_Spivis]

This is such a cool idea!

[@rogerdudra178]

Greetings from the BIG SKY. I wouldn't go paddlefishing before Memorial Day here this year on the Missouri river.

[@recipio6561]

What a glorious meadow. America is truly blessed.

[@bobweiram6321]

I would try and grow American Chestnut. It was once a common tree that was practically wiped out by blight.

[@rerolley]

The blight is still here. There is a lot of research to find/develop fungus resistant varieties.

[@firesurfer]

I believe there is an experimental program that people can participate in. ''TACF’s potentially blight-resistant chestnuts are available to Seed Level Members. The blight resistance of these trees cannot be guaranteed; they are for initial testing and research and are not available to the general public. These chestnut seeds are also available to TACF members on a seniority basis (i.e. the longer one has been a member the more likely one will be able to receive seeds for the cost of shipping and handling).'' The American Chestnut Foundation

[@BuildwithMooney]

Beautiful property and very relaxing to watch your passion project. Thanks for sharing.

[@macedindu829]

There's something so satisfying about it. Like they say, you plant a tree the shade of which you'll never enjoy. Literal in this case. Life is so amazing. It's just mind-blowing to watch the progress of these tiny trees, and for Matt to walk by that giant trunk. These machines sucked carbon from the atmosphere and turned it into that, almost as if by magic!

[@davidapp3730]

Great that you are preserving those trees. Will you ne thinning the pines by the driveway to give the Maple tree room to grow? Will you cut hay or get someone to take a hay crop off that area?

[@jmhannnon]

Good luck getting the osage orange growing as a tree, They really like to send up shoots. Often used as fences due to the spikes. Another name for osage orange is bois d'arc. The wood was used to make bows.

[@nooneyouknowhere6148]

Osage is used for fence posts because it is extremely hard and does not rot

[@jmhannnon]

@@nooneyouknowhere6148 Living fence not posts. If you plant a row of osage orange nothing can get through.

[@petercollin5670]

Matt, Sycamore typically grows on streambanks. It likes bottomlands that are seasonally damp. If any of your land fits that description, that is your best bet.

[@judithfairchild8620]

If you mulch them in the fall. They'll survive the freezing winters. my 2nd oldest sister lived in Nebraska. She learned about mulching for winter after losing some of her favorite plants and bushes. From them on she had such a beautiful place to live.

[@dmj1170]

Matt you are free to keep that snow up there next winter as well. Last year I walked around my property looking for samplings and I found 7 oaks and I have an endless number of maple so those little helicopter seeds that fall off the tree paid off with new samplings.

[@peathead4450]

Great project, Matt. Was wondering if it would be handy if the second section could be shoved over the first one, diminishing the chance of damaging the trees as shoving it into place will be upwards in stead of down.... Just a thought.

[@Poundy]

Looks great. You really got lucky with that property, it's perfect for you in every way!

[@danielwillis436]

Want to try adding some California redwoods? I have one in my back yard and haven't cut back the suckers in too long, I can dig up some of the more mature ones and send them to you if you want to try transplanting or rooting them depending on how mature they turn out to be.

[@usd25674]

Didn't know about grow tubes, new one on me.

[@dwightbauer6705]

Good Morning Cremona Family.

[@robert.brokaw3829]

Nice idea for the arboretum and what it brings to the property and you. Stay safe.

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Nice update on the Arboretum Matt! Thanks for sharing the video with us!😎👍💖JP

[@sallyeblen7032]

Your place is beautiful, so happy for you all.

[@andrewupson2987]

If I might suggest, it’s less of an arboretum thing but plant some noble firs. Maybe 5-10 a year. In 6-8 years you and your friends/family can harvest some for Christmas trees, and whatever survives in excess of Christmas tree needs will add a beautiful evergreen splash to the yard.

[@josephbohme7917]

It is called "note to self". but you must have a bathroom Mirror that will be used for at least the year. So to remind you each and every day, The yard looks pretty darn lush. Unlike us in the golden hills of California. Dry 'golden weeds' dry valleys with treed hills, save for perpetual forest fires with 10% humidity the size of Rhode Island.

[@tomtommasovaleriano962]

i'm in Southeast PA and have 2 90 year old pecan trees (might be hican). I keep meaning to send you some of the nuts to see if they'll grow up there. I didn't know they could grow this far north, but they have obviously thrived, so they may just work for you

[@dpmeyer4867]

thanks for the update

[@onewhitestone]

I used to work at an arboretum. If you like I can send you some Ginko Biloba seeds, one of my favorites. My all time fav conifer is the Noble Fir tree, awesome if left to grow without trimming. Peace out

[@JT-hw6mq]

Thank you for planting trees

[@nickkowal6537]

You should sharpie the tubes marking the height and year. Like measuring your kids on the doorframe

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome stuff Matt! 😃👍🏻🌳🌳🌳🌳👊🏻 ....🤔 ... Probably just my imagination running wild again, but I'm envisioning a future of Arboretum tours, apple and cherry picking, probably a little patch for pumpkin picking, maybe even a little bakery too, I can almost smell the pies, fritters, and of course turnovers, because they're a guaranteed turnover 😉💲(pun intended ) ... Almost forgot to mention cider making ... 😁

[@kennethhartman7425]

Cool closing drone shot.

[@MichaelNatrin]

Great video! Thanks for the update 🌳

[@MVennemann]

Good morning Matt, Really love these kind of long-term projects. Keep up the good work.👍

[@Glaudge]

In the south the American sycamore, though native, is very prolific and can become weedy very quickly. Both by seed and aggressive root sprouting

[@rjrotermund]

You have a beautiful property! I'm so jealous.

[@robotskirts]

I hope that sycamore works out. My family has a sentimental one my great grandmother brought from Kansas to Nebraska.

[@macedindu829]

Man, I was just wondering how the arboretum was going a couple of weeks back, and I made a mental note to ask about it in the coments of the next video you posted. And then I promptly forgot to do that. Good to see you're on top of it! :D ETA: Watch out. I researched those Osage Orange trees when Matthias Wandell did a wood strength test on a bunch of samples and learned a few things. First, they're the trees around here that produce these big green balls that kinda look like green brains, and second, they're a sort of weed tree that propagates quickly. They were apparenty frequently used as barriers on the borders of farm properties because they grow really bushy and spread out if not pruned, and they multiply like crazy.

[@barriesmith3489]

Your trees are looking great looking forwards to see you sawing more logs

[@joshward7896]

Planted Black Walnut around my house in the early 80's. Felled one a few years ago that was scrubbing the roof on my 2 level house, sawed it up dried it and made a nice shuttered passive solar window....right proper...inspired by PBS British palace videos. You won't regret it! Now what do I do with all the squirrel planted sprouts.....it's a problem in the gardens.

[@Wordsnwood]

My understanding is that Sycamore generally prefer low/damp areas. I would not have thought about the valley's "holding" the cold. Interesting to think of the tubes as acting a bit like a greenhouse. We use Tomato Kozy's to act like greenhouses around tomato plants and they really do raise the temperature. Wonder if that would work to help trees get established. wouldn't do much to stop deer, though.

[@glenschumannGlensWorkshop]

Thanks

[@PeterWMeek]

Oaks like to be burned in grass fires. Little ones burn off and regrow quickly from the living roots. Bigger ones shrug off a fast moving grass fire. You end up with Oak Savanna (look it up), which is pretty nice.

[@williammaxwell1919]

The most "natural" Abouritums are those that have been deliberately designed (with plans of current and future planting plus maintenance requirements) with species specifically chosen for the your region and record (plans and spreadsheet) what you plant where and when (plus care /management).

[@ronsmith1364]

Help the kids pick a couple fruit trees & setup some guild plantings of nitrogen shrubs & berry bushes. Be fun to grow up with an apple tree (zone appropriate). TFS

[@JasonRSpenny]

Tree ideas to add to the arb. Shagbark Hickory Sassafras Catalpa Tuliptree

[@feelingold2995]

It will be a nice future investment when harvest time comes... Have you researched any once in a lifetime species that can sustain your climate there? Ive been thinking about planting some oddities on my property soon.. Ive got a Sycamore growing in my spring probably around 8 foot on the stump.. Y's off about 8 feet up though.. Keep up the great work..

[@danielcolby7293]

howdy, take a picture (for the family not the channel) of your kids standing next the trees, watch them both grow !!🌳

[@WhiskeyDale]

you soil looks excellent

[@mcremona]

Sand with a hint of loam

[@johnfitzpatrick3416]

Those tubes are a great idea👍 Matt fyi if you ran a run of polyethylene tubing in a circuit connecting all your saplings you could use drip irrigation on them. You could get your kids involved if you built a little worm farm & enter worm tea into your irrigation system🤔

[@markholden1662]

The tubes are made by Plantra, which is a local company to Matt and myself. I did some work for them in the past and the owner is really passionate and knowledgeable about forestry. Not only do the tubes protect against animals munching on the seedlings, but they actually help them grow faster.

[@rhondasweeney7271]

Awesome video! 👌

[@RyJones]

Planting trees your children can enjoy and grandchildren can harvest

[@davidpape9726]

In 20 years that's going to be a nice Arboretum you can sit back and enjoy. You may want to take a look at the Ellen White tree planting method. It really makes a difference.

[@SilverBack.]

How big is the property, that log should produce some huge slabs. I hope you and the family are all well

[@skipbandsaw3840]

Best time to plant a tree? 30 years ago or today.

[@adrienneclarke3953]

As the trees are like babies, you could put growth/height lines on the tubes, like we all do on a wall to show the kids height as they grow.

[@johnjewell219]

Great job mate ,👍

[@j.c.linden]

Plants in pots are said to be one to two zones less hardy than the same plant in the ground.

[@KevinAmatt]

I thought we have to give the pot a good soaking 10 minutes before planting the tree. Also a gardener on tv said when we plant a tree give a good drink and then it will look after itself afterwards.

[@jamesfurlong8727]

I have seen Osage Orange trees used along a fence line but nowhere else. Have you learned of another use? The spines keep them being very popular.

[@sbrunner69]

Hi Matt!

[@josephbohme7917]

The driveway Maple & Cherry seem to be very close to the older trees, Are they going to shield them for awhile and then be cut away. Seems they need more room later??? Most people never know what grasses they have you should send a sample to a regional state expert & get an 'assement' so you can speak of your 'grass'.

[@GJCServices]

Matt, point out some of your native trees .. there part of the arboretum too

[@susanclaessen9853]

Hi Matt, just watch your arboretum video. We have trouble with deer browsing our newly planted trees and were wondering where to get the growth tubes you used. We are in Minnesota.

[@mcremona]

I put a link to them in the description. The company that makes them is based in Eagan

[@SRM_NZ]

When are you going to mill that big as log in the driveway?.....I'm looking forward to seeing that fit on the saw😁......your citrus..... be careful of whitefly...if you get whitefly where you are...they love citrus in protected area's....and those tubes look to give the perfect protection from the wind.....also be on the look for bora...they will make a mess of citrus....

[@Snowmunkee]

Be careful of that Osage Orange in the future, it'll eventually drop massive hard fruit that, when a lawnmower is introduced, can become ballistic projectiles. The thorns on fallen branches can also pop tires.

[@darrenharber6711]

Put your sawdust around the base of the tree for mulch and food for the soil and trees

[@WilliamMiller-s3s]

I'm no Arborist but I was raised in Pa. and we had a lot of Sycamore. All the Sycamore I've seen are growing close to running water. I don't know if that's an issue for you or not.

[@mcremona]

We’ll find out. I’m more worried about winter

[@MRrwmac]

Dang Matt, those trees you planted are really growing fast! Sorry the others didn’t make it.Hope you had the appropriate ceremony for them! You should have asked the kids to loan you their electric car to get around the property with…haha.

[@Kolnerbigblue]

Thanks for the tour. Do you do any work on the Arboretum with your kids? I get that you don't want them on the camera but they will be enjoying the trees for many, many years. Also, they aren't trees but have you considered any berry patches or bushes to help feed birds in the winter?

[@mcremona]

I barely do work in there at all 😂 Plenty of natural food sources for them already

[@patseevers262]

Anything from Colorado we can add to the mix ? Be happy to send...

[@bas17h4]

Plant some black locust, fast growing, hard wood, and very pretty trees

[@howesfull8]

Nice full grown ash tree. Do you not have any Emerald Ash Borer up there? Here in KY (near Cincinnati) we lost ALL of our ash trees....which is a bummer as we live on Ash Creek Drive.....maybe we'll rename it Walnut Drive (I planted several and my wife is angry about the mess).

[@mcremona]

It’s just getting going here

[@chadjones4236]

I've set tree stands in Osage wait awhile its beautiful but truly hard to cut with a chainsaw

[@makingitright4503]

Great video. I’m not a fan of sycamores. Certainly don’t put them near any structures. Osage Orange are interesting. Very hard wood but never made anything with it. Cheers!

[@am2dan]

I used some in a cheese board along with padauk. Wasn't convinced that was the best combo once I had the finished project in hand, but worth the experiment. Amazing bright yellow wood, though I understand it will darken with age. Same for the padauk, I guess.

[@VinceW187]

Wauw that intro taken out of context could be brutal!!!

[@kevkeelan5106]

“Blessed is he who plants trees under whose shade he will never sit.”

[@josephbohme7917]

But may find rest later by a placement of his ash.

[@peterjenne3552]

Has the emerald ash borer reached your area yet ? They are decimating the ash tree populations here in vermont, NY, and new england. Wonderful wood to work with , i think it is harder than oak. Not very pretty but a great utility wood.

[@mcremona]

Got here a couple years ago. Trees are starting to go this year

[@virtualfather4117]

Compost likely you have a ton. Go dig in the first places you dumped sawdust in your woods

[@bcole6502]

how many acres do you have total! Nice video 😀

[@mcremona]

22; thanks!

[@TheBigburcie]

Maybe you need to build a greenhouse to accelerate future sapling development.

[@martintijdgat6269]

As holder of the Dutch Plant Collection Ulmus (elm trees) with over 120 different species en selections I wonder in what plantarea you are over there. Is it 3 or 4? Here in The Netherlands we have area 5-6. But according to my information there are some elm trees that should grow in your surroundings and I could recommend for your arboretum: Ulmus New Horizon and sister Ulmus Rebona (resistance 5) As American elm Ulmus americana Princeton (resistance 4) should do well, as will do Ulmus ‘Morton’ and ‘Morton Glossy’ (resistance 4 and 5) I would love to see you plant over there the Dutch crossing that is very good to withstand Dutch Elm Disease with top resistance 5: Ulmus Columella a very narrow growing tree. And there is a other European closely related to the Amercian elm: Ulmus laevis. Fortunate European elm bark beetles find this tree not attractive, so it escapes DED in this way. In Europe it grows best along floodplains of rivers, streams and brooks. Don’t know if you can get those trees over there. The Morton Arboretum knows best. Elm breeders and nurserymen knows best about import and export regulations. I have good contacts with Dutch nurserymen, so I can ask around.

[@karaDee2363]

If I knew you wanted to plant trees, I would have sent you some great white , red and black oaks that I had on my property before I sold it... I know they would survive your harshest winters without any issues..

[@kruptd316]

I thought at one point you said you were going to label them for the future? Should plant a monkey puzzle tree. Real cool looking tree!

[@WhiskeyDale]

More walnut ! More orange osage !

[@mikesobba3510]

Matt you need a herd of cows to eat that beautiful grass!

[@mcremona]

My kids are enough work to care for

[@edwardsimmons3721]

Why were the Maple and Cherry tree planted between other trees. That appears very close?

[@mcremona]

I didn’t plant them. They just grew there

[@scottlamp3097]

I transplanted 5 maples this year. They were growing in my flower bed across town. All 5 seem to be happy and healthy now. It is a proud moment for me. I have never had much of a green thumb. I would like to hear more about those tubes,.

[@mcremona]

I linked them in the description