Planting a tree seems to be like an easy task but there is a process involved from start to finish. To give your tree a good chance for success, follow these guidelines to help make planting your tree as easy as one – two –three!
Locate a good spot for your tree. Regardless if you select a short or long living tree, you’ll be stuck with this tree for a few years at least. So pick a planting site that is clear of power lines and has room to grow both upward and outward. For example, don’t plant the majestic live oak next to your home; instead plant it further away from the house so it has a chance to be a full-grown specimen.
Select a tree that suits the site. This may be the toughest step of all – which tree to plant? Assess the site conditions, such as USDA hardiness zones, sun vs. shade, moderate vs. soggy soil, near power lines, etc. These conditions will play a factor in identifying what is the ideal tree for the site. If you are not sure, consult a landscape professional or your local county agents office. The sky is the limit here, so have fun making your decision.
Prepare the site. Once you have selected the planting site and the tree, gather the tools you need to complete the job. You will likely need a spade or sod cutter to remove the sod, a rounded shovel to dig with, a hard rake to help break up soil clods and rake the soil smooth, and a garden hose with a water source to water the planted tree.
If the planting site is in the middle of a garden bed, remove or transplant existing plants to another location and rake the soil smooth. However, if the planting site is in the middle of the lawn, it may be best to remove the sod with a spade or sod cutter. Using a water hose as your marker, draw a circular outline in the grass with at least a three foot radius from the center of where the tree will be. Then remove the sod within the perimeter of the garden hose. You can save the sod and reuse in another part of the yard. Use the hard rake to break up any soil clods or remove small clumps of sod.
Water the tree’s root ball. To ease your tree into the transplanting process, make sure that it is well-watered ahead of time, especially for trees that are balled and burlapped or bare root. When roots are exposed to air, they can dry out. This can be bad news because dry roots equal dead roots, so give the tree a good drink of water to ensure a healthy life.
Dig the hole. Once the site has been prepped and the tree is well watered and ready to be planted, its time to dig the hole, but this is where people make the big mistakes. Think to yourself that we’re not burying a tree, but instead we are going to plant a tree! The hole doesn’t need to be very deep, so that about two-thirds of the root ball we be under the soil surface. However, the hole does need to be fairly wide, roughly twice the diameter of the root ball. Dig a saucer shape planting hole that is shallow and wide. The worst thing you can do is plant a tree too deeply because that can kill the tree!
Loosen the subsoil. This helps give the tree’s roots an opportunity to move more freely into the surrounding soil. Simply use a shovel to score, or loosen, the soil along the walls of the freshly dug hole.
Place the tree’s root ball into the hole. If you have not done so already, get a partner or two to help you in placing the tree into the hole, especially if the tree is tall, heavy or awkward. Remove the tree from the pot or lining and place it into the hole. Backfill the hole, gently tamping the soil firmly into place around the sides of the root ball to remove air pockets. Make sure the tree is centered and vertical – not leaning.
Water the tree. Now that the tree is in its new home, it needs a drink of water. Set the hose on a slow trickle, which will periodically need to be repositioned around the root ball to ensure even watering.
Mulch. Add a tree inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree, basically to cover up the disturbed soil. Make sure the mulch doesn’t sit at the trunk of the tree; brush away any soil or mulch from the flare of the tree trunk. If any soil or mulch rests here too long, water can cause rot at this location and therefore introduce pest and disease problems.
Don’t forget to check up on the tree periodically. The most critical point in a new tree’s survival is the first few weeks after transplanting. Make sure to give your new tree a good drink of water regularly. If any branches are broken or are crossing or rubbing other branches, prune them away.