 Planting
The best time to plant a new tree is during the dormant season when conditions are cool. The dormant season occurs
either in the fall after leaf drop or in spring before bud-break. However, container grown and properly balled and
burlapped trees may be planted during the growing season.
Make sure to contact Diggers Hotline before digging!
Read through each of the following links to learn how to plant a new tree:
Make the hole wide, as much as three times the diameter of the root ball. The depth of the hole is critical. It
should be the distance from the bottom of the ball to the root flare (not the top of the ball), or an inch or
two shallower in heavy soils. Break up the soil in a large area surrounding the tree. This provides emerging roots
room to expand into loose soil to hasten establishment.
Roots spread at the base of the tree at the trunk flare. If the trunk flare is not partially visible, you may need
to remove some soil from the top of the root ball.
Make sure the hole is dug to the proper depth and no deeper. It is better to plant the tree a little high, 1-2
inches above the base of the trunk flare. Planting a tree at the same depth it was planted at the nursery is
almost always too deep. Always lift the tree by the root ball, never by the trunk, to avoid damage when setting
the tree in the hole.
View the tree from several directions to confirm the tree is straight before you begin backfilling.
Gently fill the hole about 1/3 full, then settle the soil by watering. If the tree is balled and burlapped, then
cut and remove the strings and wire from around the trunk and top 1/3 of the root ball.
Fill the remainder of the hole with existing soil, not amendments. Using existing soil will encourage roots to
grow into the surrounding soil. Then water again to eliminate air pockets, which may cause roots to dry out. Add
soil a few inches at a time and settle with water to avoid this problem. Make sure not to tamp soil. Continue this
process until the hole is filled and the tree is firmly planted. Do not apply fertilizer at the time of planting.
It may not be necessary to stake a tree for support if the tree is grown and cared for properly at the nursery. In
fact, some studies show that trees establish more quickly and develop stronger trunk and root systems if they are
not staked at the time of planting.
However, if staking is needed for support, two stakes used in conjunction with a wide flexible tie material will
hold the tree upright, provide flexibility, and minimize injury to the trunk. Remove stakes and ties after the
first year of growth.
Some good mulch choices include leaf litter, pine straw, shredded bark, and aged wood chips. Use two to four
inches of mulch to layer the base of the tree. When placing mulch, make sure the actual tree trunk is not covered.
A mulch free area about six inches wide at the base of the tree is sufficient to avoid moist bark conditions and
decay.
When the soil is dry below the surface of the mulch, it is time to water. Keep the soil moist, as over watering
will cause leaves to turn yellow and fall off. Water the tree at least once a week if it does not rain, and more
often during hot weather. Continue to water until mid-fall when temperatures decrease.
Other follow-up care may include minor pruning of branches damaged during the planting process. Prune sparingly
and immediately after planting, and wait to begin necessary corrective pruning until after a full season of
growth in the new location.
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