The key to growing a healthy tree begins with proper planting procedures.
Skim off turf of an area
about 4’ in diameter
where you are going to
plant your tree.
The size of the hole depends on the
size of the root ball. Most of our
large trees require a hole about 3 ½’
wide and 2’ deep.
An easy way to measure and see if
you have dug the appropriate
depth is by laying a shovel over the
hole, then placing another shovel
upright in the hole, and using that
measurement against the size of
the root ball. Digging the hole is
easiest when you have the tree with
you .
Now that the hole is the correct size,
scruff up the sides of it a bit, this
makes it easier for the roots to
penetrate the surrounding soil.
The Importance of planting a tree at the correct depth
cannot be over emphasized.
Hopefully your tree isn’t too far away. Carefully
and gently roll the tree into the hole.
Backfill with a few scoops of soil so that the tree
is standing relatively straight and make sure that
it is situated the way you want it.
This is your only chance to change its position and or orientation!
At this point only backfill about ½ way.
Backfill around the tree with the previous
existing soil combined with a few shovel fulls
of peat moss, and a few handfuls of bone
meal.
An easy way to mix these is by depositing a
few shovel fulls of peat moss on the mound
of soil resulting from digging the hole, and
shaking a few handfuls of bone meal. This
way, as you return that existing soil as
backfill, all three components mix together
on their own.
Once you have backfilled halfway, and
stomped in around the root ball, have
another look at the tree. Make sure that it is
nice and straight.
At this point, cut all the ropes that are
looped through the wire basket and around
the tree- get them out of there.
Now there are 5 wire loops that kind of stick
out above the rest, bend these loops back
into the hole- essentially getting them below
grade. Stepping on them works well to do
this.
There is burlap around the trunk of the tree and covering the root ball – untie it from around
the trunk and pull it back so that the top of the root ball is totally exposed. Cut off this portion
of the burlap.
Continue to backfill and stomp around the root ball until you are level with the top of it.
There is no need to pile soil on top of the root ball, as that would bury it too deeply.
Keep stomping to eliminate all large pockets of air.
If your root ball is slightly above grade simply create a gradual slope away from the edge of
the root ball to level ground.
Use stakes that are at least 6’
tall, pound them into the
ground about a foot deep
and about 12 to 16 inches
away from the trunk.
Use stiff wire to link the trunk
with the stakes on either side.
Be sure to cover the wire with
a piece of hose for the part
that is touching the trunk – as
the wire alone would cause a
lot of damage.
Mulching around the base of
the tree is an important step.
Mulch to a depth of about 3”.
Be sure that the mulch is kept
away from the trunk by an inch
or two- piling mulch against the
trunk can cause trunk rot and
encourage rodent damage.
The best time to plant a tree is 20
years ago…. The next best time is
NOW.
Chinese Proverb