As an avid gardener, I thrive on the joy of personal achievement I feel through the beauty of my garden. By tending my garden, I make contact with the elements of life. Gardens are metaphors for life and death. Take flowers, for example. They come and go—some return year after year, while others grace us only for the current season. Life and the parallel universe we call our garden means even more to me when referring to trees. With fall on the way with its amazing colors and smells, many opportunities open up to create, enhance and change the garden. With cooler days and chilly nights, fall is the perfect time to roll-up our sleeves and play in the dirt, often without even breaking a sweat.

There is no better way to be "green" than to plant something green. Over the years I have encouraged my friends and neighbors to do just that. Get out in the yard, dig a whole and fill it! Hopefully not with a body! All kidding aside, what you plant is a personal choice but for me, this "Green in Your Face" concept is all about doing little things that are attainable and help support the going "green" cause.

First of all, the choices are endless! I, for one, am delighted with whatever you decide to plant, as long as you plant. But I invite you to consider planting a tree. If you've never planted a tree before, this may cause some worry, but have no Fear, Mar is here. This really can be a simple task if you know what to do. If you think a tree might be too much for you, consider the classic boxwood or other evergreen? Because I personally tend to my garden and have taken the time to plant each and every shrub and yes, even some trees, I subscribe to one simple rule... if I can carry it I'm going to plant it. Okay, so I have been known to push the envelope occasionally, but it's only because I'm a Taurus and we are stubborn (in a good way hopefully). Truth be told, I have never craved the luxury of having someone do it for me. While my garden is a reflection of my own personal style, people are often bewildered that I have personally planted all of the boxwoods (five hundred when I last counted) that surround my home. One might think that with all these boxwoods I would have a garden as far as the eye can see, but in fact, it's less than a quarter acre. Needless to say, for its official "size" it is loaded with boxwoods and trees which anchor the entire property. They are for me, the foundation of any four season garden.

This fall, why not consider the classic (Buxux) boxwood, an excellent shrub that can be used in many different ways. Often used as a border, boxwoods add an evergreen pop to a formal or casual garden making it come to life even in the dead of winter. So how perfect is that? Being "green" while planting green! No matter how you incorporate this fantastic evergreen, they are worth the time and energy and there is no better time to plant, and/or change your garden design than the fall.

Trees. How I love them. My love for trees began as a child after reading the wonderful children's book "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein. I have cherished this book from the moment I read it, and today I continue to find new meaning in the simple lessons it teaches. This tender story, while touched with sadness, is aglow with consolation. Trees, it teaches us, not only provide the wood we need to build our homes and shade on a hot summer day, but show us the gift of giving love, and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to return that love.

Of the many reasons I could find to plant a tree, the best one of all is for the environment. Trees remove CO2 from the air, produce oxygen and give birds a home. Planting trees means improved water quality, less runoff and erosion. This allows more recharging of the ground water supply. In laboratory research, visual exposure to a setting with trees has been shown to produce significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension. This was clear to me this summer when my family came to visit. Next time I'm taking them into the woods!

When a tree or shrub is planted correctly, it will grow twice as fast and live at least twice as long as one that is incorrectly planted. For best results, plant in the spring or fall. Many garden centers and nurseries provide assistance in planting. If this is the case, make sure that you receive a warranty for this service. Most reputable nurseries will provide a one to two year warranty on your newly planted items.

If you have decided to plant on your own, here are eight simple recommendations to assure a long lasting relationship with your newly planted tree or shrub:

1. Dig a hole a maximum of the root ball's current height and about three times the width.
   
   
2. Scratch the sides of the hole to loosen soil and allow roots to easily grow outwards.
   
   
3. Place the tree or bush in the hole with the top of the root ball level with or slightly above the rest of the immediate grade.
   
   
4. Immediately fill the well you've created several times, letting the water soak the entire root ball. I prefer to leave a hose trickling on the root ball for an hour.
   
   
5. Backfill the rest of the soil into the hole making sure it is packed well, but not to tightly, as roots require oxygen to grow. You should have some left over soil. If not, you've packed it too tight.
   
   
6. Take the left over soil and make a small dome that follows the circle of the outside of the planting hole.
   
   
7. Mulch…..need I say more.
   
   
8. Fertilize... my good friend Billy Heine from Greenfield Hill Nursery once told me that his secret to having a beautiful and successful planting in his garden is "Osmocote". It's what the professionals use and can be purchased by the average consumer. Sprinkle a little of the slow-release fertilizer for several months.
   
   

Now you are ready to care for your new planting. If you have chosen to plant a tree, be aware that mature trees may become diseased if not treated regularly. Because it is difficult to know how your trees are doing, always hire a professional to care for, feed and provide pest control. While it is impossible to totally protect your trees from the elements of nature, there are some basic procedures that can help reduce the risk of damage. An arborist can inspect your trees for defects and conditions that could predispose them to failure or future damage. They are also available to prune and shape your trees so that they will grow to the size and proportions that appeal to you.

When selecting your new tree or evergreen, make sure you have the proper space and conditions to accommodate your new green friend. Don't buy on impulse no matter how beautiful it looks at the nursery. I see this mistake made over and over again. Do your homework! Research and ask lots of questions and enjoy the discovery process. Whether you plant a tree as a dedication or feel the motivation to pop a couple of evergreen shrubs into the garden, your new "green" is the new red, white and blue.

And there you have it.