Planting a tree is not as simple as digging a hole and dropping the tree in.  If you want to give your tree the best chance of survival, make sure to plant your tree properly.  Proper tree installation should include:  planting at the right time of year, choosing the right soil or amending the existing soil, digging your hole twice the size of the root ball, removing any container or grow bag.

Planting

Planting your new tree.

In addition, proper depth setting of the tree can determine if the tree lives or dies.  After you have dug your hole and prepped the soil, it is now time for planting.  Locate the crown on the tree; this is the part of the tree just above the root ball.  It is important to plant the crown of the tree at or just above the final ground level.  Make sure that all of your tree roots are buried below the ground level.  You can check to make sure that your crown is at ground level by laying a shovel or board across the hole.  If the crown is at the correct level, you are ready to planting.  If the crown is too far above or below the correct level, you will have to adjust the depth of the hole.

Once your tree is set at the proper level, start back filling the hole with compost or black dirt.  Fill the hole up part way and step down the dirt to remove air pockets.  Continue this process until your hole is filled.  While you are back filling your hole, check to make sure that your tree is straight.

We don’t recommend fertilizing your tree for the first year because this has a tendency to over boost your tree with nutrients.  This will make your tree less likely to survive in the future.  Installing compost or organic matter will give your tree all of the nutrients that it needs for the first year.

Mulch is a great material to use around the base of your tree.  Mulch helps hold moisture in the ground and will help keep the roots from being exposed.  Make sure that you do not install mulch directly touching the tree trunk as this may encourage fungus and insect damage to occur.