

How To Plant A Tree

Learning the best method of planting trees.

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Knowing how to plant a tree properly will increase the chances of the tree's survival after it has been set in the ground. There is more to planting trees than digging a big hole and tossing the tree in it. Is there a particular place in the yard where the tree will be planted? What is the terrain like in that area? Making a map or some other schematic layout of exactly where the tree will go will help determine how to plant a tree.

Learning how to plant a tree involves some research regarding species of trees as well. Some trees shouldn't be planted within a certain distance relative to power lines. The tree might grow too tall and cause problems later on. Other trees have roots, which spread out in a radius equaling twice the height of the tree. This could mean problems for houses where a tree is planted to close to the house. Over time, the roots could ruin the cement slab or foundation of the house or tangle pipes or underground cables running from the house. A tree planted too close to a sidewalk or private walkway could eventually cause the path to buckle.

Trees like willows grow better near the water and palm trees are perfect for dry, arid locations. Pests and disease plague some species of trees, such Dutch Elm disease. Others might become infested with various insects and the tree must be destroyed.

A Time to Plant
When to plant is almost as important as how to plant a tree. Trying to plant a tree at the wrong time of the year could easily kill a tree. It is important to not plant during times of frost or excessive heat.
Spring and fall are the best times to plant a tree. The weather is mild with the right amount of precipitation to allow the tree time to grow strong enough to survive the extreme temperatures to come. Of course, the only exceptions to this rule are areas in the southern United States. Places like Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, or Southern California stay warmer longer. While still cold, they are not nearly as cold as a Canadian winter.

The Basics of Planting Trees
Different trees may require different care and consideration, but a few basics do apply to all species. The most important factor in knowing how to plant a tree is the size of the hole. Often, the hole is much too deep and far too narrow for the tree to grow properly. The root structure needs enough space to obtain oxygen from the soil and expand as it grows.

If the walls of the hole are too smooth, they form a barrier, preventing sufficient water and nutrients from reaching the tree. The term for this is "glazing". To prevent glazing, the soil should be broken up with a fork as much as possible. Roughen the sides, the bottom of the hole, and perforate the walls.  For good measure, create a small mound of dirt in the center of the hole. This will help distribute the water evenly and keep the water from pooling around the tree roots.

Burlap, Containers, and Naked Roots
Planting trees purchased through a nursery come prepared in one of three ways: wrapped in burlap, in a fiber, metal or plastic container, or with bare roots.

Balled Burlap: Balled and burlapped (B&B) trees are ones that have had their roots gathered into a ball,
wrapped in soil and held together with burlap.
As long as the burlap and soil remain moist and the tree is stored out of the sun, it can last for some time before planting. Even so, it isn't recommended to wait too long to plant a tree wrapped in burlap. When lifting a B&B tree, be sure to support the tree by the ball of roots and not lift the tree by the trunk.

To plant a tree wrapped in natural burlap, peel away one third of the material from the top of the ball. Remove any string or twine used to tie the burlap, as this will not expand with the tree trunk as it grows and could severely damage the tree. In the case of a B&B tree wrapped with synthetic burlap, the material needs to be completely removed. Synthetic materials won't break down in the soil and could damage or restrict roots as they grow.

Container Trees: Store container trees in the shade and keep the soil moist until planting time. The method for planting trees from a container is the same as that of the trees wrapped in burlap. Remove the container and inspect the roots for any damage. If the roots maintain the shape of the container, loosen the compacted mass by hand or with a blunt tool. Try not to tear the smaller roots away from the mass. Simply coax them loose and spread the roots out before planting. Insufficiently separated roots means the tree will strangle itself as the roots continue to grow. Spreading the roots also allows the tree to anchor more easily in the soil and quickly gain stability.

How to Plant a Tree in B&B and Containers:

After the tree is in the hole, fill the surrounding area with "backfill”. Backfill is usually a combination of materials such as peat moss, compost manure, or topsoil. Backfill contains extra nutrients crucial to the tree's growth and adjustment.  Be careful not to pack the backfill too tightly, or it will prevent sufficient water from reaching the roots.
Knowing how to plant the tree deeply enough is crucial. Don't completely bury the whole base of the tree in the hole. The top of the hole should come to the top of the ball, not the very bottom of the trunk. It is always better to plant a tree a little higher to allow for settling than to plant it too deeply and have it sink further.

How to Plant a Tree with Bare Roots: Bare-rooted trees have no soil, burlap or a container surrounding the roots. Of the three different types, these trees are the most vulnerable and require the most care. Plant a bare-rooted tree as soon as possible. Inspect the roots before leaving the nursery. Look at the small fine roots and make sure they are healthy and moist. Keep these roots moist while in transit from the nursery to the site. It is all right to prune away any damaged or unhealthy roots, but be sure to save as much of the root structure as possible.

The procedure for how to plant a tree with bare roots is different from B&B or container trees. Dig the hole and create a cone of soil in the center of the hole. Place the tree on top of the cone with the roots splayed out around the base. Seat the tree on the cone so the base of the tree (or "trunk flare") and the crown of the roots are at least two inches above the level of the soil.
The tree will settle naturally, and the roots and base will sink into the soil of their own accord. Add backfill and once again be careful not to pack the soil too tightly. Pat the soil into place with both hands instead of stomping on it.

Caring For The Tree After Planting
Once the tree is planted and the hole backfilled, water the tree but make sure not to flood the roots. The soil should be moist, not wet, as over-watering could damage the tree. A sure sign of over-watering is yellow leaves that fall off the tree.

The tree should be watered at least once a week if it hasn't rained, or twice a week if the weather is particularly hot. Continue watering through the summer and into the fall, gradually tapering off until the weather starts to get too cold.

In most cases, it is wise to allow the tree to grow for a full year before attempting any type of pruning. However, if branches are damaged during the planting process, they may be trimmed.

Knowing how to plant a tree is a simple process, and the work is well worth the effort as the tree grows and matures. Take the time to plan, make sure the time of the year is right and the tree is suitable for the location. Planting trees can be a rewarding experience and they are a welcome addition to any landscaping project.

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