Planting a Tree

Planting a tree doesn't have to be grueling. Learn the basic steps in putting a container or ball and burlap in the ground. Here are a couple of tips before you select your tree or trees...

The first step before you put a tree in the ground is to know exactly where you want the tree positioned. Do you have to do some preparation to the ground before you start to dig? Is your area level? Plan - Prep - Plant Method is a step by step in any phase of landscape. These three tips are important as it will save you time in the long run. Once that 300 or 400 pound tree is in the ground, it becomes nearly impossible to adjust. A few years ago I had a crew put in a 400 pound B&B, and I didn't like where it was positioned. They had to dig another hole 2 feet away and replant. Needless to say, the crew was not happy at the end of the day.

Generally speaking, with a container tree or a bare root, the width of the hole should be three times the diameter of the root ball. Look at your nursery and see how deep the root ball is in the ground. Your goal when digging the hole is to provide enough space so the roots can spread out and grow.

Lets first discuss a container tree. After preparing your soil, dig your hole. At this time, mix some of your organic soil conditioner with the loose dirt you have taken out of the hole. Gently remove the tree from the container and with your fingers, loosen the roots some. Place the tree in the hole, put some conditioner around the roots. Add the rest of the conditioner and mix it in with the loose dirt. Fill the hole but make sure you do not mound the dirt high around the base of the tree. Take your hands and carefully pat down around the base of the tree. Remember, the organic soil conditioner acts as a fertilizer and works for a year. Now it is time to water. For the first couple of weeks, with a container tree, slowly trickle the water from your hose around the base of the tree. Water 15 to 20 min. every other day to get the roots established. Your watering schedule will depend a lot on your zone you live in, and the time of year you are planting. Read another solution I wrote on Planting Around A Tree for different ideas of shrubs and flowers. Put pine straw or 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the tree. Do not mound the pine straw or mulch up. Spread it evenly.

The Ball and Burlap tree is planted in a similar fashion. Of course the hole is going to be bigger then a container tree. If your soil is dry and hard, you may wantto use an auger. An auger can be a one man or two man piece of equipment. Many rental places have them available. Most root ball trees come with a burlap sack around them and a metal cage. Carefully place the ball in the hole. Loosen the cage and pull the top of the cage back from the base of the tree. Cut all the way around the top part of the burlap. I usually cut 2 to 3 inches of the burlap off. The burlap will rot away over time in the ground. Make sure you put your soil conditioner in and around the ball before you fill the hole. One of your goals in not to allow any air pockets in your hole before you fill it back up. Take a hose and put your water on a trickle mode. Set the hose on near the base of the tree. Water for for 45 minutes to an hour. Every 15 min. move your hose a little so the water will soak the roots evenly. Take a look at another alternative to using a hose when the tree is in the ground. This is called a water ring.

Put either pine straw or 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the tree. It is a good idea to trickle water for the first couple of weeks. This will help keep the moisture in the ground. Some trees will require more watering then others. Do some research on the amount of watering your tree will need.

I hope this information has given you a little more in site on the process of planting a tree. If you need some clarification on any of these steps, please contact me and I will send you a response.