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Ten Steps for Successful Tree Planting
- Begin with a healthy tree: no signs of insects or disease; a strong trunk; and roots that are not pot-bound. Choose a site large enough for the tree to mature.
- Dig a hole no deeper than the root ball and at least three to five times as wide (Figure 3-1). Larger holes increase aeration and decrease the chance of "root suffocation" from over-watering.
- Test the hole for drainage as described on page two.
- Separate the roots out from the root ball surface and into the hole (Figure 3-2). Take care to keep the roots moist during planting. Prune any roots that are wrapped around the root ball, mushy, or dry and brittle. If most of the roots are rotten, dried-up or pot-bound, return the tree to the nursery for replacement.
- The top of the root ball should be even with the surface of the soil (Figure 3-3).
- Backfill the hole with 50 percent compost and plant soil mix and 50 percent ative soil. Tamp the soil lightly to remove air pockets and water thoroughly (Figure 3-4).
- Cover the area around the tree with three to four inches of coarse, organic mulch directly over the bare soil. Keep the mulch six inches away from the tree base.
- Prune only to correct major form problems; for example, where branches rub against each other.
- Stake to immobilize the root ball (Figure 3-5). Secure the stakes to the trunk with soft, flexible ties that allow the tree to bend in the wind. Check ties often to prevent strangulation or bark damage. Loosen the ties gradually to allow the trunk to strengthen. Remove the stakes after the first year. If the tree is still wobbly, move the stakes farther out, loosen the ties, and "wean" the tree from staking by the end of the second season.
- Protect the trunk from the sun by wrapping it in porous, pliable white wrapping available at nurseries, or you can use a manufactured tree shelter to shade the trunk and protect it from rodents. Place drip hose on the ground in a circle. It should be as wide as the circumference of the tree branches (Figure 3-6). Check up on the tree frequently the first year. Keep the root ball area free of weeds and grass for the first three years. Check the soil for moisture and watch for signs of stress.
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