Late winter and early spring is an excellent time to plant if you are thinking about planting new trees. With the loss of so many of our precious old growth pines and oaks here in  Idyllwild and surrounding mountain communities, we are faced with the responsibility and privilege of helping to establish and care for  the next generation of trees that can add to the value of our lives, properties, and future generations.
It is truly sad to lose our large, old growth trees that make Idyllwild so beautiful and awesome,  and while it certainly does take many decades for trees to grow from nursery to  magnificent giants, young trees  can bring hope and enjoyment. 

The forest can and will regenerate naturally and it is a proven fact that responsible and diligent  forestry on our parts can definitely help the process and there are good conversations to be had about the management of our public lands and forests.

 Our yards and properties however, will need some help from us and my aim in this article is to provide property owners with a few tips for planting and establishing new trees in their yards.

2. If you choose to plant yourself,  here are a few tips that will help you get your trees started.
Number one: Tree Selection. Choose the correct species of tree. I can not over state this enough. This arborist strongly recommends that you choose tree species  that are native to your area. If you choose exotic tree species, do your homework and figure out which ones match your local climate and site.