Heritage trees are large mature trees with significant historical value. These trees can transform a flat, barren landscape to a mature, breathtaking escape in a matter of days. FHN has an impressive selection of heritage trees in several varieties ready for your next landscape project,

We have a rich history of growing and transplanting prairie hardy trees that thrive in our harsh climate. Our selection of heritage trees dates to plantings that’re over thirty years old. Our team has devoted time and resources to caring for these trees and has fine-tuned the digging and transplant process. It is our pleasure to guide our customers to select the ideal tree for their personalized projects.

The most obvious reason to plant a heritage tree is the immediate impact it offers. A heritage tree offers immediate beauty, privacy, shade, and wind protection. In our prairie province, tough weather conditions result in slower growing trees. A 5-year-old Foothills Green Ash will be 60-70mm and range from 10-14ft tall. A 25-year-old Foothills Green Ash is 180mm + and is on average 25ft or more. Choosing to plant a heritage tree lets you skip the waiting period and immediately enjoy all the benefits a large tree offers.

Planting a heritage tree has many benefits beyond enhancing the natural beauty of your space. The age and size of heritage trees allow them to be significant to local ecosystems. Large trees absorb up to 36 times more air pollutants and store up to 291 times more carbon than smaller trees. Planting and caring for mature trees are necessary to sustain urban canopies. Also, they counteract the hundreds of mature trees removed every year to make room for city expansion.
Not only do heritage trees contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable ecosystem, but they also contribute to your property value. Property value can increase up to 19 percent when you incorporate mature trees into the landscape. Other cost savings include reduced need for air conditioning in summer and heating costs in winter. The size of heritage trees creates a cool shade canopy on hot summer days and acts as a windbreak on cold winter days. This limits the stress on home heating and cooling systems.

Besides saving money, these large trees give you privacy and reduce noise pollution. Privacy is one of the most popular reasons our customers choose to plant trees. In our tough climate, trees are slow growing, so opting for a heritage tree allows for immediate visual and noise screening. Municipalities incorporate trees into urban settings to reduce noise pollution from busy areas. Wide canopy trees reaching 30 meters or more can reduce noise pollution by up to 50 percent in urban areas. Planting large trees and selecting varieties with dense canopies will increase these benefits.
There are many proven health benefits to being around trees in urban settings. Mental and physical benefits include:

• Reduced stress and anxiety levels
• Reduced respiratory problems
• Improved cardiovascular health
• Increased cognition

Being around large trees in an urban setting allows us to take advantage of the incredible benefits available in a day-to-day setting. Studies show that exposure to trees and other living plant material speeds healing time. Well-known environmental psychologist, Roger Ulrich, completed a study in 1984, outlining the health benefits of trees. His study showed that patients who had window views of trees had fewer complications and experienced faster recovery time frames when compared to patients who didn’t have this exposure. Since this study, experts have continued to uncover more health benefits trees offer.

The process of purchasing a Heritage tree begins with selection through an in-person tree appointment. Or opting to have the experienced team at Foothills Nurseries make the choice. You can book a tree tour through the office or specific requirements passed on to our tagging team for selection. Once you or a team member chooses the perfect tree to meet your needs, our skilled field team will begin the digging preparation.

The digging process is weather-dependent, and it takes a minimum of two weeks from digging to delivery. In this two-week time frame, the tree will need time to settle and recover from the immediate shock of digging. During this period, our team pays close attention to the foliage and places the tree in our irrigated shade house for consistent watering and temperature.

Once the tree has made it through the waiting period successfully, our team loads the tree for delivery and planting. We come prepared with the proper heavy-duty equipment for a smooth installation including our crane truck(s) and a skid steer if required. Our seasoned delivery and planting team can deliver and place the tree into an already dug hole or complete a full delivery and installation. Our full-service planting service is a great option for a stress-free tree installation as our team handles the digging, placing, backfilling and root treatment. Using proper planting techniques is vital to the tree’s survival.

Heritage trees have a small window in the spring and fall time for digging and transplanting. These giants need cooler weather for successful digging and planting. Moving a tree in hot temperatures increases the shock and reduces the likelihood of a successful transplant. During the selection stage of purchasing a heritage tree, our team will advise you of the proper timeline based on the weather and variety chosen.

These mature trees need large packaging and heavy equipment to maneuver and plant. Because of this, our team needs open access to a space to move forward with a heritage tree. Contact the FHN team if you have any questions about access or any other step in the process.

Planting any tree is an investment and provides a benefit reaped for generations to come. Choosing to plant a heritage tree is a more costly investment, but well worth it for the results. With our vast farm, we have many different heritage tree sizes and varieties available to suit your specified budget. The tree cost will range from $1700 – $20,000 based on the size, variety, and specialty characters. Delivery and installation are an added cost that we will quote out to suite your custom planting requirements.

The success of a tree is dependent on several factors, but one of the most important being the aftercare. To have a successful heritage tree planting experience, have a proper aftercare plan set in place. Aftercare will differ slightly based on the time of planting, tree variety and environmental factors. A successful aftercare plan will include the following:

Water: Heritage trees have large root systems, and they need a LOT of water for sustenance to overcome the shock of transplant. Expect to complete daily watering within the first month and continue in hot weeks with temperatures over 25 degrees. Cooler days will require less water, but regularly check the soil to keep in touch with the moisture needs. A larger tree will need anywhere from 20-60 gallons of water per watering depending on the environmental factors at play. We recommend a water bag or drop irrigation system for systematic watering and consistency in amount.

Monitoring: Keep a close eye on the tree in the coming season after planting, paying attention to the soil for moisture needs and the foliage for discolouration or wilting. Excessive yellowing and limp foliage can be a sign of too much water. Curling and browning leaves can be a sign of too little water. If any foliage concerns arise, immediately adjust watering as needed. Our experienced team is happy to pass on watering advice and instruction, customized for the time of year, weather and soil type in the planting location.

Fall Shut Down: As the summer season winds down, your tree will begin to enter dormancy and go to sleep for the winter season. To encourage a proper shut down, slow watering and do not apply any fertilizer or growth enhancers. Before the ground freezes, complete one last big watering and soak the root systems. When the ground does freeze, this locks the root ball in a protective ice covering and gives the roots immediate access to water in the spring thaw.

Fertilize in the Spring: Do not fertilize within the same season as planting. The season after planting, apply a water-soluble fertilizer that is high in nitrogen to boost root expansion and promote top growth. We recommend a 3-part fertilizing treatment spread over April, May, and June. Check out our Resource page outlining fertilizing practices and brand recommendations.

While choosing to plant a heritage tree is an exciting decision, it is also a BIG decision. Our team is happy to help with any questions and walk you through the process. From selecting the tree to preparing for planting to ensuring excellent aftercare, we’re ready to help. If you’re interested in learning more about our heritage tree process, follow us on Facebook!