Start by inspecting a bark and a trunk of the tree. Are there any signs of mechanical injuries?
Are there any signs of insect-made damage?
Are there any lesions on the young bark?
Is there only one main, straight trunk that has not been pruned back at the top?
Move your attention to the branches. Are there any broken branches on the tree?
Are there any crossed branches?
Are there any branches with a narrow-angle or v-shaped notches?
Are the branches spaced at least 8 to 12 inches apart and evenly distributed?
Have the branches been excessively pruned back?
Are the buds on the branches well-developed?
Next, inspect the foliage. Are there any wilted leaves?
Are there any off-colored leaves?
Are there any insect-made damages on the leaves?
Are there any spots or blotches on the leaves?
Finally, remove the container without harming the tree and examine the roots. Are the roots firm and lighter in color than the surrounding soil?
Are there any unpleasant odor in the root ball?
Does the root ball have any cracks in the soil or large clumps of loose soil?
The tree you were inspecting appears to have an unhealthy trunk and bark. Mechanical injuries indicate improper care. Insect-made damage indicates that it had trouble with pests. Lesions indicate possible canker and fungi diseases. The crooked or forked tree trunk has small chances to grow healthy. Avoid buying this sapling.
The tree you were inspecting appears to have unhealthy or neglected branches. Broken branches indicate poor or rough handling. Crossed branches or branches that are rubbing together as well as excessively pruned back branches indicate improper pruning. Buds that are not well-developed could mean insects or diseases. Avoid buying this sapling.
The tree you were inspecting appears to have unhealthy leaves. Wilted or off-colored leaves are indications that tree care has not been optimal or that something is wrong with the root system. Insect-made damages and spots and blotches indicate sick trees. Avoid buying this sapling.
The tree you were inspecting appears to have unhealthy roots. Healthy roots should be firm and lighter in color than the surrounding soil. Unpleasant odor or mushiness indicates root rot. Cracks in the soil or large clumps of loose soil in the root ball are indications of improper handling. Avoid buying this sapling.
The tree you were inspecting appears to be healthy. You can buy this sapling.
Wayne K. Clatterbuck, Guidelines for Buying Trees, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
Sreten null
Hi! I’m Sreten Filipović. I graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Belgrade, with a master's degree in Environmental Protection in Agricultural Systems. I’ve worked as a researcher at Finland's Natural Resources Institute (LUKE) on a project aimed at adapting south-western Finland to drought episodes. I founded a consulting agency in the field of environment and agriculture to help farmers who want to implement the principles of sustainability on their farms. I’m also a founding member of the nonprofit organization Ecogenesis from Belgrade whose main goal is non-formal education on the environment and ecology. In my spare time, I like to write blog posts about sustainability, the environment, animal farming, horticulture, and plant protection. I’ve also published several science-fiction short stories.
You can find me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sreten-filipovi%C4%87-515aa5158/
