Step 1 of 4
Plant Selection
Step 2 of 4
Preparation
Step 3 of 4
Installation
Step 4 of 4
Planting
Planting Trees
Benefits do grow on trees
- Use a shovel or spade to dig a hole that is twice as wide as the container and equally as deep as the soil in the container. If the site has poor drainage then it is a good idea to dig the hole deeper and then backfill it with native soil to the appropriate depth.
- If the sides of the hole have become smooth, then scrape them rough to remove a potential barrier to root and water movement.
- Gently remove the tree from its container. For heavier trees, it may be necessary to lay the tree on the ground and slide the container off. It may also be necessary to loosen the soil by squeezing the sides of the container. Lift by the root ball, not by the trunk.
- Gently loosen any roots that have become root-bound. If the roots are extremely tangled, then it may be necessary to score the root ball a few times with a sharp utility knife or to prune roots until they are no longer tangled.
- Ensure that the soil height at the bottom of the hole is such that, when installed, the tree will sit slightly higher than the current soil level to allow for some settling. Place the tree in the hole and remove the stake that came attached from the nursery.
- Install tree stakes on opposite sides of the root ball about ten inches from the trunk. Ensure that the final depth of the stakes will be at least eighteen inches below the finished grade. If applicable, place the stakes in a manner to provide the most bracing against prevailing winds. Some tree support systems use only one stake.
- Backfill around the tree gently firming the soil around it as you go. Regularly check to ensure that the tree and stakes are straight. Finish with a circular berm or ridge around the tree to hold water.
- Commercially available tree staking material is recommended for securing the tree to the stakes. Wrap the material around the tree at a height of four to six feet depending on where branches start. Twist the strips once to create a figure 8 and then secure the ends to each stake according to product instructions. The tree should be protected from damage, but still be able to move. Do not damage the bark.
- Water the tree thoroughly.
- Apply three to four inches of mulch around the base of the tree and berm. Ensure that the mulch does not come into contact with the tree.
