The benefits trees provide are endless. They can increase the aesthetics and economic value of a community, provide food and shelter for wildlife, increase your quality of life, improve air quality and much more.
Planting is one of the many ways you can make a difference in our environment. To avoid improper planting and to protect your investment, here are some steps to follow when planting your tree.
Plan where to plant your tree
First find your desired planting location. What tree would thrive in the site? Consider the tree’s size at maturity. What does the species structure commonly look like? Does it grow wide or tall? Does it suit your desired look for your landscape? How much root space and sun is available in the planting site? Consult with nursery staff and consider researching your options beforehand.
Dig a hole
Before any digging takes place, be sure you have your utility locates for your property. It is your responsibility as the homeowner to have this done before any digging is conducted. If you are hiring a company, be sure they acquire this information.
Your planting hole should be roughly 3 times the diameter of the root ball. To find your hole depth, measure the distance from the flare to the bottom of the root ball. This will determine how deep your hole should be. Your hole width should be 1 to 3 times the diameter of the root ball depending on the condition of the soil.
Plant the tree
The fun part. Planting the tree. For starters, when picking up your tree or having it delivered, be sure that your tree is secured and covered. Wind damage will stunt and create further stress to your new tree.
Remove the root ball from its container or if your tree was spaded out from the nursery, remove the wire basket, burlap, and twine. Leaving these on your root mass will result in slow establishment, poor anchoring roots, and girding roots that will, in time, strangle the tree.
Once you have exposed the root ball, find the flare. This is where the trunk flares out to the roots. In some cases, you might have to find the flare by removing some soil off the surface of the root ball. Do this till it is exposed.
Backfill
Your tree is in the ground. Make sure it is oriented the direction you want and relatively straight. It is a good practice to step back and look at the tree from all angles to ensure it is planted straight.
Begin to backfill with the native soil from the site. Fill your hole in layers and use your hands to compact the soil and eliminate any air pockets. Make adjustments to straighten your tree if needed. Keep filling and compacting until your hole is filled, ensuring you have not covered the root flare.
There are controversies over adding amenities to the backfill, as this can potentially lead to confined root growth. Though adding some mycorrhizal fungi and/or bone meal is still recommended as it will help root and plant growth and as well promote water and mineral uptake.
Mulch and stabilize
Adding a layer of mulch will help retain water and keep the weeds down. A slight taper towards the trunk will help direct rainfall to the root mass.
Staking is not always needed but will be in a windy spot. Depending on the tree, 2 or 3 stakes are recommended ensuring that they are placed appropriately in correlation with the prevailing winds. Use planting straps around the base of the tree to limit friction and damage to the bark. Tie planting twine to the straps, then to the stakes, and brace accordingly.
Monitor your stakes. Keep your tree braced appropriately with proper tension. In time, the tree will grow and the straps will need to be loosened. After 3 to 5 years, the stakes should be removed. Leaving them can strangle the tree and cause the tree to rely on them for too long, restricting the amount of structural root growth. A tree needs to go through stress in order to adapt and thrive.
Water the tree
Watering is basic but always forgotten. A newly planted tree should never completely dry out. Though don’t overwater to the point where it is pooling. Monitor the soil and inspect the moisture by placing your hand roughly 4 inches down around the root mass. Water every or every other day for at least the first 2 weeks. Then slowly progress to once a week. Depending on the season, more watering might be needed so it is important to regularly monitor.
Forgetful? Tree water bags/rings are a great way to keep your soil moist. Consider purchasing one when buying your tree.
What’s next? Enjoy your tree!