How To Plant Your Seedling
2025 Seedling Species
Pecan
Pecan is a large, deciduous tree. Its mature height is 60’ - 100’ with a crown spread of 60’ - 80’. It is not compatible with overhead utility lines and must be planted at least 30’ from utility lines. The Pecan produces edible nuts in the fall.
Pecans are NOT utility compatible.
Desert Willows are utility compatible.
Desert Willow
Desert Willow is a drought tolerant, small, deciduous tree. Its mature height is 15’ - 30’ with a crown spread of 20’. It is compatible with overhead utility lines. The Desert Willow has showy, trumpet-shaped pink to lavender flowers through late spring and summer.
Choose the right tree for the right place.
Red Zone: Tree growth in this zone may cause outages and fires.
Yellow Zone: This is an area that is safe for small stature trees. At maturity they should reach no higher than 20’ and be planted at least 5’ from utility poles.
Orange Zone: This is an area that is safe for small medium sized trees. At maturity they should reach no higher than 40’ and be planted at least 20’ from utility poles.
Purple Zone: This is an area that is safe for large stature trees. At maturity they can reach 40’+ and should be planted at least 50’ from utility poles.
PLANTING CONTAINER SEEDLINGS
Dig a hole large enough to insert the roots without bending or crowding. The hole should be 2 - 4 inches deeper than the root length.
Remove one seedling at a time from its container and plant it. Position the seedling in the hole with the top of the soil at or slightly above ground level.
Fill the hole halfway with topsoil and add water to settle soil around the roots.
Fill the rest of the hole and form the soil around the seedling with your foot, adding more soil if needed.
Form a sturdy ridge of soil around the seedling large enough to catch and hold 2 gallons of water.
HANDLING CONTAINER SEEDLINGS
Plant seedlings as soon as possible after receiving them (2 weeks maximum).
DO NOT plant under dry, windy or hot conditions or during periods of prolonged freezing.
Prior to planting:
Keep seedlings shaded and cool.
Water three times/week.
Do not allow to freeze.
Remove container from one seedling at a time as it is planted.
DO NOT expose roots to harsh sun or wind (30 seconds maximum).
Water each seedling immediately after it is planted.
Continue to water at a rate of 8 - 10 gallons/week for the first one to two years.
Printable version of this information.
Instructions and saplings provided by the Texas A&M Forest Service - West Texas Nursery.
