How To Plant A Tree - Planting, Palms, Fruit and Landscape Design

Summary: When planting a tree in the landscape, check for community regulations, dig a hole twice as big as the root ball, this will give your landscape tree ready for a long life of beauty, and get a good start!

If your planning on adding any trees to your home landscape design take the time to select the “right tree” for the “right space.” Once you’ve picked the right tree, help it get off to a great start - that starts with planting.

Just like children, trees need more attention and TLC when young to promote a long, healthy life. And, just like changing kids bad habits, trees once established are hard to make changes to, move, relocate and transplant.

When choosing a “planting site” check for any regulations or ordaniances in your community regarding tree placement. Some communities restrict placing trees within a specified distance of a street, sidewalk, streetlight, or other utilities.

Before you even think about digging, make sure all underground utilities are clearly marked. Cuttiing off electric power or the risk of injury cannot be overlooked.

When It’s Time To Plant

Carefully follow the planting instructions that accompanied your tree. However, if specific instructions are not available, follow these tips:

Build a good root system!

Dig a hole approximately twice the size of the tree’s root ball, or about one foot wider than the root system. We always say dig a 20 gallon hole for a 10 gallon pot!

Generally, the hole should be a little shallower than the root ball. If the planter areas soil is especially heavy or wet, think about planting the tree slightly higher.

Remove any and all “extra” materials from the root mass or root ball. This includes wires, string, burlap, plastic and biodegradable containers. If the tree ins in a pot - remove the pot. Any extras can hinder proper root growth.

I’ve found most trees have a pretty side - if yours does also postion it’s “face” in the direction most often viewed. Place the tree in the center of the hole, then position it to grow straight.

Planting a Bare Root Tree

When planting a bare root tree, spread the roots carefully. If the soil from the hole came out in big lumps, break up the lumps and crumble the soil covering the roots.

As soil is added filling in around the tree and root area, tamp the soil lightly to collapse any air pockets, or add water to help settle the soil. Air pockets around roots can be devastating to a newly planted tree by allowing the root hairs to dry out.

Add about four to six inches of mulch–wood chips, shredded bark, or grass clippings–around the base of the tree. Extend the mulch out to the ends of the outermost branches. Mulching helps retain moisture, reduce weeds, can keep a more even soil temperature. Keep the mulch away from the tree trunk - decomposing mulch can cause potenitial rot problems.

Finally, give the tree a thorough drink and watering. Slow watering by allowing water to trickle into the soil from a hose placed at the trunk of the tree works very well if the root ball is extremely dry.

Protect young trees - rodents, frost cracks, scalding from the sun, lawnmowers, and weed whackers with inexpensive plastic guards give an easy method of control

Staking and bracing trees is not always necessary unless you live in an area with high winds or the tree is oversized.

A properly planted and maintained tree - in the beginning - will grow much faster and live longer than one incorrectly planted. Even tough trees can be planted almost anytime of year as long as the soil isn’t frozen, early fall is the optimum time to plant trees in the landscape.

In the first few years in extremely hot or dry weather, watch your tree for any signs of moisture stress - leaf wilting or hard caked soil two easily recognizable signs, water the tree well and slowly so the water soaks in and not runs off.

If you take the time and give your tree a good start on getting established. You, your family, the neighbors and next generation will enjoy the benefits of your backyard landscape tree for years and decades to follow.

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