Tree Planting Tips

Tree planting is a fairly simple thing to do as long as you follow a few simple tree planting tips. Tree planting in a hole that is too deep prevents enough oxygen to reach the roots for good growth and a hole that is too narrow will not allow the roots to expand the way they should and anchor the tree properly. Trees need to be planted only as deep in the soil that they were originally grown. The width of your hole needs to be about three times as wide as the spread of the roots or the root ball.

Balled and burlapped trees can be stored after purchase as long as it is stored in a shady place and you can keep the ball moist but it is best to plant them as soon as you possibly can. When you lift a balled and burlapped tree it must be lifted by the ball and never by its trunk. The burlap, especially if it is plastic or synthetic, needs to be completely cut away; if it is wrapped in natural burlap the material that surrounds the top third of the root needs to be cut back. All types of string that is around the root ball also need to be removed. Place the tree into the hole and back-fill with an organic mixture of peat moss, topsoil, and compost by surrounding the tree just to the top of the ball or just under the top to allow settling. It is better for the tree not to compress this soil because it may block water from getting to the roots plus the fact the roots may not be able to expand the way they should.

Container trees also can be stored for a short time just as balled and burlapped trees but because they are in containers they will dry out and heat up much quicker. The planting procedures are much the same for container trees as it is for balled and burlapped trees. All containers must be removed before planting and with the experience that I have had that also includes the fiber containers but you should not have any problems with the fiber as long as you tear off the sides. Once you carefully remove the tree from the original container, check the roots. If they are compressed tightly or 'root-bound', use a blunt tool or better yet your fingers to gently loosen the fine roots from the tight ball and spread them out before planting. In case your tree has intense, woody compacted roots, you may need to open up the bottom portion of the root system with a spade. You can then pull apart or 'fan' the root system before you plant. If you fail to do this procedure the roots may end up circling around the tree and killing it. Once the tree is in place back-fill to the original container's soil level and do not compress the soil.

Bare root tree planting is going to be a little different because there will not be any soil covering the roots. Time is very critical between the purchasing and planting of a bare-rooted tree; you need to get it into the ground as soon as possible. When you purchase a bare-rooted tree, check and be sure the roots are moist and they have several lengths of fine root hairs; this is a good sign that you are getting a healthy tree. Make sure you are able to keep the roots moist between purchasing and planting. You can prune away any damaged or broken roots but make sure to save the majority of the root structure as possible. Before you plant you are going to build a cone of soil in the center bottom of the hole so you can spread out the roots as you plant. Be sure the cone is high enough so the flare of the trunk and the crown (this is where the top meets the roots) is roughly 2 inches above the level of the soil. This will allow for the tree to settle naturally.

A freshly planted tree needs to be watered when it is planted. During its first growing season, it should be watered weekly when there is no rain and more often in the heat of the summer. You need to be careful not to over-water because this could cause oxygen deprivation. To check if your tree needs water dig six to eight inches down on the edge of hole, if that soil feels powdery the tree needs water. Soil that has adequate moisture will form into a ball when you squeeze it. If you can do regular deep watering it is better than many light sprinklings. Moisture around a tree needs to reach a depth of twelve to eighteen inches deep in order to encourage ultimate root growth. A new way to be sure of a constant supply of water is with the use of super-absorbent polymer crystals that are able to absorb moisture when the surrounding soil is wet, and releases it each time the soil becomes dry.

In order to retain moisture and advance water and air penetration, the soil surrounding your newly-planted tree may be covered with mulch that consists of wood chips or bark. The depth of mulch should be at least 3 inches. Plastic sheeting should not be used to cover the area around the tree because that will prevent water movement and air circulation. Any porous landscape fabric is best to use since it will allow air and water to penetrate freely.

Many trees will survive just fine without fertilizer at planting time, most plants will suffer a little root loss and stress with transition between good nursery growing conditions and the final planting in your yard. It is best to treat your trees only with fertilizers that have the proper formulation for the type of tree you planted in order to recover from any root loss during the planting and to diminish any transplant shock. A biostimulant can also be used to stimulate root development and promote tree health. Your tree planting should go smoothly and it will probably take at least a year or more for new trees to adjust to their new surroundings.