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How to Plant Trees
Planting Trees
Methods used to plant trees differ depending on how the trees were grown and prepared for sale. The most popular types of trees are bare root, balled and burlapped, boxed, or nursery container trees.
Bare-Root Trees
When planting a bare-root tree, soak the roots in water for several hours before planting. This allows the tree to take up water through its roots and survive any transplant shock.
Dig a planting hole wide and deep enough to accommodate the roots [See: Digging Planting Holes for Trees]. Make a cone-shaped mound of soil in the center of the hole, then arrange the roots so they spread over the mound.
Backfill with soil until the hole is three-quarters full, and water thoroughly. Let the soil settle, then finish filling the hole with the remaining native soil and water once again.
Container-Grown Trees
When planting containerized trees, dig a planting hole the same depth as their rootballs, and 2–4 in. (50–100 mm) wider.
Using a pitchfork or other tined tool, poke holes into the soil at the bottom and sides of the hole, as well as along the surface around the planting hole. Penetrate the surrounding soil and pry back on the tool to loosen and break the soil—these holes will help the tree roots grow and spread beyond the planting hole.
Carefully remove the tree from its container, loosen and fan out the roots, and prune any damaged roots. Place the rootball in the planting hole, making sure that the roots are relatively straight and fanned down. Match the top of the rootball with the level of the surrounding soil or keep it slightly higher than its surroundings.
Level the tree so it is vertical. Backfill with native soil that has been broken up with a shovel. Gently tamp the soil as you go to remove any air pockets, but remember that you want the soil to be loose and breathable.
If your tree is growing in a potting medium that is of a different texture than your native soil, gently wash away about a third of the potting soil with a garden hose, then place the rootball in the planting hole.
Backfill the hole with native soil until it’s one-third full. Water thoroughly, let the soil settle, then finish filling the hole with the remaining native soil.
Balled-and-Burlapped Trees
For a balled-and-burlapped tree, prepare the hole as you would for a container-grown tree.
What should you do with the burlap? Leave natural-fiber burlap under the rootball when you place it in the planting hole, but pull the top fabric away from the trunk and tuck it along the sides of the rootball so it doesn’t wick water away from the roots. The tree’s roots will grow through it and it will slowly decompose.
Always completely remove synthetic burlap after you put the tree into its planting hole, however. Reach into the hole and make several vertical slices in the fabric with a gardener’s knife, then pull it out from alongside and under the tree.
Once the burlap has been handled, backfill the hole with soil and water well.
Specimen Trees in Boxes
Boxed trees are usually large specimen trees and are more mature than smaller trees meant to grow into their planting locations.
They are planted similarly to nursery container trees, but because of their size they are often planted by tree professionals. Enlist expert help if you plan to plant trees in boxes larger than 3–ft. (90–cm) square.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Tree-planting techniques vary slightly, depending on whether your tree is bare root, balled-and-burlapped, boxed, or in a nursery container.
We show and describe four easy ways to plant each type of tree in your home landscape.
Review each option carefully before choosing a tree, digging a hole, and planting it [See: Choosing Healthy Trees and Shrubs, Digging Planting Holes for Trees, and Soil for Trees and Shrubs].
Bare-root trees and shrubs are available each spring. Usually vigorous species, they quickly develop roots when planted in unamended garden soil. Follow the steps shown below, using a ruler or measuring tape, shovel, gloves, and your tree.
Most trees are planted either as balled-and-burlapped stock, or in nursery containers, after winter digging by growers. Choose fresh stock in spring and early summer from recent arrivals for the most dependable results. Like bare roots, both should be planted in unamended garden soil. Follow the steps shown below for each type, using a shovel, tape measure, and your tree.
Boxed trees, sometimes of large size, are popular for planting in residential landscapes. While very large specimen trees should be planted using the assistance of experts, plant trees with rootballs up to 4 ft. (1.2 m) wide with the aid of a few helpers, using a shovel, sturdy planks, hammer, crowbar, sheet metal shears, and your tree. Follow the steps shown below in the last demonstration.
How to Plant Bare-Root Trees
Notice the discolored point on the trunk that marks on the tree the previous soil-surface level at which it grew. Measure the depth from this mark to the center of the root crown’s base.
Dig a planting hole 4–6 in. (10–15 cm) deeper than the tree’s root crown depth and half again the distance its roots’ spread. Create a cone-shaped mound in its center, 4–6 in. (10–15 cm) high.
Place the tree in the planting hole straddling the mound and spreading the roots evenly around it. Use a shovel handle across the hole to check that the tree’s depth matches that of its prior planting.
With a helper to hold the tree securely and straight, backfill the hole with soil and firm it around the tree’s roots.
If a watering basin is appropriate and no deep-watering tube was installed, raise a moat around the outside edge of the planting hole, 3–4 in. (75–100 mm) high.
Thoroughly water the tree to settle the planting soil and eliminate any air pockets. Add soil if any uneven settling occurs.
How to Plant Trees in Nursery Containers
Measure the depth of the soil in the nursery container. Dig a hole about 2–4 in. (50–100 mm) wider than the container and as deep as the container’s soil.
Lay the container on its side. Loosen the soil around the rootball, then slide the container from the tree’s roots. Carefully unwind any encircling roots.
Set the tree in the planting hole. Backfill with native soil, firming it with your palms. Water the tree thoroughly. Add extra soil if settling occurs.
How to Plant Balled-and-Burlapped Trees
Move the tree to your planting site. Loosen the burlap’s ties and measure from the soil surface to the rootball’s base. Dig a hole as deep as the rootball’s depth and one-third wider.
Untie and peel back the burlap, folding it down around the rootball. For synthetic burlap, remove it entirely.
With a helper, lift the rootball and set the tree into the hole. Straighten and level the tree. Backfill and firm soil around the rootball, filling the planting hole.
If a watering basin is appropriate and no deep-watering tube was installed, raise a moat around the outside edge of the planting hole, 3–4 in. (75–100 mm) high. Water thoroughly, adding soil as needed as it settles.
How to Plant Large Boxed Specimen Trees
With a helper, lay the tree on its side. Completely remove the wooden bottom of the box. The box’s tapered shape supports the tree.
Set the tree upright. Note its best face and rotate the tree as needed in the planting hole until it faces in the desired direction. With sheet metal shears, cut the lower binding strap.
With a helper, raise the side of the box nearest the hole. Slide two planks beneath it. The planks should reach beyond the box to halfway across the planting hole.
Using the planks as slides, push the tree over the hole. Control the tree’s movement down into the hole, using the planks as levers.
With the tree in the hole and leveled, use shears to cut the top binding strap. Use a crowbar to dismantle the box and remove its sides. Backfill the hole around the rootball with native soil, compacting it as the hole fills.
Build a watering basin around the tree’s planting hole, creating a moat about the same diameter as the old box and 4–6 in. (10–15 cm) high. Water the tree extensively, adding soil as needed to fill any uneven settling.