Planting a tree isn’t that hard, but it does take more than just digging a hole and plopping the plant in. To make sure your tree lives on in your yard and not in your memory, you have to make sure the hole’s just the right size and that the tree’s placed in it correctly. But don’t be intimidated – it’s really not that difficult. Best of all, you’ll save a bunch of money by planting it yourself!
You can plant containerized trees any time of the year.
Photo Credit: Dr. David L. Morgan
When planting a B&B tree, place the root-ball in the ground intact, then remove all the wrapping before backfilling.
Photo Credit: Dr. David L. Morgan
When planting a B&B tree, place the root-ball in the ground intact, then remove all the wrapping before backfilling.
Photo Credit: Dr. David L. Morgan
Tree roots spread laterally and quickly after being planted. If roots are tightly bound in a container, they won’t be able to unwind.
Photo Credit: Dr. David L. Morgan
First, make sure you buy a good tree. That means looking it over carefully before you fork over any money. Trees come containerized (in round, plastic containers), bare-root (dormant, with no soil attached to the roots) and balled-and-burlapped (or B&B; with the root system held together by wires or cord).
You can find containerized and B&B trees most times of the year. If you’re looking at a containerized tree, don’t be shy – knock off the pot and look at the root system. Make sure the roots haven’t circled the container walls – a sure sign that the tree’s spent too much time in its pot. Circled roots never straighten out, so the tree won’t grow to its full size. (It could even strangle itself with its roots in the long run.)
Most large trees are sold B&B. The burlap simply holds the roots and soil together. If you’re looking for a tree in spring, make sure it has new leaves and check that they’re not wilted from poor watering practices. Finally, be sure all of its limbs are alive and kicking. You might want to ask the seller for a guarantee of good health, too. (And if you’re looking at a B&B, make sure it’s wound with cord and not wire. You have to loosen the bindings around the top of the root-ball after the tree’s placed in the hole, and wire is harder to manage.)
Unlike the other types, bare-root trees aren’t found year-round. They’re only planted in winter or early spring, before they start growing again. If you’re looking at bare-root trees, really inspect the branches closely. If you see a lot of buds “breaking” (producing primordial leaves or fruit), it’s too late to plant. Choose a different tree. When the buds are out, that means the tree could dry out or fail to develop healthy new roots.
Now that you’ve got a healthy, new tree, it’s time to dig the hole!
The old saying that you shouldn’t plant a $100 tree in a $10 hole rings true. No matter how healthy your tree is, it just won’t thrive in a botched hole. The trick to successfully planting a tree is to respect the tree’s crown – or the location on its trunk where the tree met the soil when it was grown. This means that it’s more important to make sure that the hole you dig is the right depth, rather than wide enough. (That’s not to say width isn’t important – the hole should be at least 6 inches wider than the circumference of the root-ball.) Because the soil you add back into the hole will shrink, plan to dig only deep enough so the tree crown sticks up a little – about 2 or 3 inches above ground level. If you do it right, the tree will meet the ground evenly when it settles into its hole.
But, wait – don’t put that tree in the hole yet! If you live in an area with poorly draining soils, like heavy clay, make sure you don’t drown your new tree in a “bathtub.” Run a simple drainage test, and just fill your newly dug hole with water. If it fails to drain in about an hour, you should either select another spot for your tree or install a drainage system.
If the water drains out fine, you’re ready to plant. You might be tempted to use a “better” soil for your new baby to grow in, but don’t. Peat moss and other organic materials mixed with sand may be a great medium for growing plants, but it shouldn’t be used as a substitute for field soil in a landscape. Remember that your tree’s roots need to adjust to – and grow in – your garden’s soil. The best fill you can use is the topsoil you just removed.
Once you’ve planted, be sure to give your new tree plenty of water its first year to get it started. (And if you have a dry winter, don’t forget to continue watering the tree – even in cold weather.)
It’s not hard to give a new tree a healthy start in your garden. Just follow these simple, commonsense practices. Taking the time to plant correctly means your tree will be around for generations to enjoy!
