Tree Planting Tips
Above all else, remember to call 811 before you dig! Calling for a utility location will help keep you and your home safe while planning and prepping your yard for planting. The service is fast, free, and no job is too big or too small.
Plant care & info
Once you can see how deep the root ball really is, start digging. The hole should be about as deep as the distance between the root flare and the bottom of the root ball, and 2-3 times as wide.
Thoroughly break up the soil that was removed from the ground and score the sides of the hole if your soil has a heavy clay component. Mixing compost with existing soil was advised for years, but scientific research supports ending this practice, as it inhibits root growth and exacerbates drainage issues over time.
Add organic fertilizer to the soil that was removed from the hole and mix thoroughly.
Lower the tree into the hole. Make sure the base of the trunk is at ground level or slightly higher.
If planting a bare root tree, create a mound of soil in the hole, and fan the roots out over the top of the mound.
Gently but firmly backfill soil mixture into hole. If the soil is dry, fill the hole halfway and then water the tree. After it drains, backfill with remaining soil and water slowly and thoroughly. Be sure not to pile soil around the base of the trunk.
Mulching is very important! Mulch is a layer of organic matter that sits on the surface of the soil. It keeps soil wetter and cooler in summer, drier and warmer in winter, and it helps to keep weeds at bay.
Cover the root zone with a 1-3” layer of mulch after planting. Use mulch to make a reservoir to keep water from running off by mounding a ring of mulch in a circle about 12-18” away from the trunk.
Not all newly planted trees need staking, but there are a few scenarios when staking is a good idea. Install stakes if trees are:
- Very top-heavy
- Planted in a very windy location
- In a high-traffic area
- Needing a barrier for lawn mowers or weed whackers
Drive stakes down 14” deep on either side of the tree, making sure not to damage the root ball. Attach both stakes to the tree with green stretchy tape approximately 4 feet up the stake. The height can vary slightly depending on tree size. Wrap tape around the trunk 360° and attach to the stake.
Be sure to allow enough slack for the tree to sway slightly in the wind. This will help it to build a strong trunk and root system while protecting it from falling. As the tree grows, periodically check the tightness of the tape and replace it if it becomes too tight. Remove tape and stakes after one year.
During the first summer (or dry season) after planting, your tree will need to be watered weekly. More frequent watering is needed during extreme heat events.
To water effectively, run the hose on low and let water slowly seep into the soil for 30-45 minutes. Water at a slow pace so that it doesn’t run off, but soaks into the intended area.
Soaker hoses and drip systems are also good options for delivering water to a tree at a slow rate, but be sure they’re placed over the root zone to the dripline, not up against the trunk. Tree bags are fine for newly planted trees during their first summer, but remember to remove them while they are not in use. Leaving tree bags on the trunk 24/7 can cause rotting.
Testing to see if the water is wetting the soil thoroughly is a good idea. After watering, dig into the soil about 6” down to check the moisture level. If it hasn’t soaked in, continue to water. Testing probably isn’t needed every time, but checking a few times during summer won’t hurt.
In the following years, the tree will need less frequent watering or maybe none at all, depending on the tree’s genetics, light, soil and weather. Taper deep watering off every other week or once a month.
Even old established trees like a deep drink of water before heat waves!
If you have any questions, feel free to stop by our Information Desk or give us a call.
For a tree to have a long healthy life, there are a few important steps to take before digging:
- Gently tip the container to its side and remove the tree from the pot to examine the roots, being careful not to disturb delicate new roots that may be forming.
- Make sure the root flare, the place where the trunk widens to meet the roots, is visible. If not, remove soil and any small fibrous roots from the base of the trunk, exposing the root flare. This will help the roots to have proper access to oxygen once the tree is planted.
- If there are large, circling roots, open them up—roots should be fanning out, away from the trunk.
We’ve got several tree planting tips on this page, but you can also check out our Tree Planting video for more info!
