How to Plant a Tree

by Dustin Kester

Planting a tree may seem simple at first glance.  You just put it in the ground, right?  Well believe it or not, there is more to it than that.  You could just go out and plant it, but let’s face it -  trees and shrubs can be expensive.  We should do everything we can to maximize the success of these plants.  Follow these step by step instructions and you will give yourself the best chance to grow a full, healthy tree (or shrub) that will last for years to come.

1.  Time and Location

To be successful in your planting venture, you will need to plant your tree at the right time of year.  Fall or spring is the optimal time, with summer being too hot and dry for a young, recently transplanted plant, and winter being a bad idea for obvious reasons.

You will also want to choose a good species of tree for your location.  Do some research.  Find out what trees are native to your area and learn about their growing patterns.  Consider factors like how big a tree will get, how much cleanup it will require in the fall, its resistance to disease and drought, etc.  It may not seem like it, but this can often times be the most important step to your tree planting process.

2.  Buy Your Tree

When you have finally decided on the tree that is right for you, it’s time to buy.  Shop around a bit at your local landscaping shops and nurseries, and ask a lot of questions.  Find a good, healthy looking tree.  Remember - depending on the tree, many may not have leaves during the best times to plant.  But if it does, make sure the leaves are green and not diseased or drooping.

3.  Location (Again)

Now it’s time to choose the best location on your property to plant your newly purchased tree.  Think about how big it will be when it is full grown.  Will it be too close to a sidewalk, a house, or power lines?  Is it in a place where you want some shade?  These are all important things to consider.  Also make sure the place you choose has good drainage and sunlight.

4.  Dig

Once you have found the perfect spot, it is time to dig.  Be sure to dig the hole two to three times larger around than the width of the tree.  It is important that your hole is not just big enough to fit the tree.  If the hole you dig is larger, the loose soil surrounding the tree will be easier for the roots to grow into, allowing your tree or shrub to take hold firmly in its new home.

Your hole should also have what is known as a pedestal.  A pedestal is an area of higher soil at the bottom-center of the hole.  this is for the tree to sit on once it is placed in the hole.  Use your shovel to dig a small groove around the pedestal.  This will serve as a place for extra water to pool, so that your tree does not drown.  This is a very important step and crucial to the success of your tree.  When your tree is planted, it should come out of the ground about two to three inches above the soil around it.  Use this as your gauge to know if your hole is deep enough or not.  Finally, soak the bottom and edges of the hole with water.

5.  Place the Tree

It is finally time to place the tree into the hole, atop the pedestal you just created.  If your tree is wrapped in burlap or potted, now is the time to take it out.  Do not do this step until you are absolutely ready to plant the tree.  Otherwise the roots could dry out.  If you are planting a shrub, it may have a root matrix instead of a root ball.  If this is the case, you will want to break up the bottom of the matrix a bit before you place it in the hole.  This encourages the matrix to grow out into the surrounding soil.  Make sure the height of your plant is correct when you set it in the hole.  The trunk of the plant should be above ground level by two to three inches, but not so high that any roots are exposed above the surface.  This extra height above the surface is also crucial, as it prevents water from pooling around the base of the tree and rotting it.

6.  Fertilize

Now is the time to fertilize your tree.  This is an optional step but is highly encouraged.  When fertilizing your tree, be sure to spread it evenly around the hole, as some plants are better at nutrient transfer than others.  Also, follow the instructions on the package carefully.  Over-fertilizing can cause quick but weak plant growth, or could even burn up parts of your plant.  A slow-release fertilizer is probably the best way to go.

7.  Fill the Hole

Next, we back fill the hole.  If you like, add some composted material at this point.  Use about three quarters of the original soil and a quarter composted material for ordinary trees.  For fruit and nut trees, add two thirds original soil and a third compost.  Don’t have any compost?  Think about starting a compost pile of your own.

8.  Water and Mulch

Water your tree once you are done back filling.  Newly transplanted trees need lots of water, so do not be afraid to give it a good amount.  After all, we took precautions to avoid over watering when we planted.  When watering your tree, it is good to evenly soak the ground with a slow, steady trickle of water.  This is much more effective than a quick splash, and will help your tree to take deep hold with its roots.

Next, add some mulch around your tree.  Mulch keeps weeds down, holds in moisture and provides excellent nutrients for the tree as it decomposes.  Mulch in a circle around the tree all the way out to the drip line (the circumference around the tree where leaves will drip).  Be careful not to mulch too thickly, about one to three inches is all you need.  Also, do not mulch too high around the trunk, just enough to cover the ground there.  Because mulch holds in moisture, too much mulch around the trunk can rot your tree.

Later in the day, water your tree again.  Do this after the ground around the tree has dried out some.  In the coming days and weeks, it is important to water your tree regularly when it does not rain.

9.  Stake Your Tree

Staking your tree is another optional step, but it can be beneficial to trees that are a little flimsy at first.  Stakes can protect them from the wind, and encourage a nice upright growth.  When you stake your tree, be sure not to tie anything too tightly to the tree.  Whatever material you use should also not dig into the bark.

So there you have it.  Follow these steps and you will have a beautiful to your yard for years to come.  Happy landscaping!