How to Plant a Tree
Choose an appropriate location for your tree. This should be based on sun exposure and mature width and height expectations for your tree. See the How to Pick Out the Perfect Tree guide for more information on choosing your tree.
Once you have chosen the right spot, dig the hole up to twice the size of the root ball or container. You want to dig the hole larger than the container so that you can add soil amendments. This will help your tree establish healthy roots to stabalize it for long term success in our windy climate.
Mix planting compost and soil building conditioner into that dirt pile that you just dug up to achieve a blend that is made up of about 1/3 of each; compost, conditioner and native soil. Next add fertilizer and mycorrhizae to the bottom of the hole. This will help stimulate root growth.
Now set your tree in the hole. Make sure that your tree trunk will not be buried any more than it was in the original container. The trunk should not be buried as a result of your hole being too deep. Simply add more amendments if you need to bring the tree back up to the soil line. On the other hand you don’t want to have to mound the area because you didn’t dig the hole deep enough. If the root ball is above ground the exposed roots will be in jeopardy each winter.
If the tree appears to be planted in the ground at the same level that it was in the pot then you are almost done! The best thing you can do for your tree is to build up a water well around it to drive water down to the roots preventing irrigation run off. It should look like the picture here. Now you are ready to water it in! 2 gallons is the perfect amount. Consider adding the liquid vitamin, B1 to your watering can once a week for the first few weeks after you plant. This will help reduce the opportunity for transplant shock.
It will be best for your brand new tree to be watered daily at first when you bring it home from the nursery. That will be what the containerized tree is used to after it’s stay at the nursery. A couple weeks after you get it planted you can start to wean it off of the daily watering by moving to every other day. After about a week or two you can adjust to the recommended amount of water per week.It will be best for your brand new tree to be watered daily at first when you bring it home from the nursery. That will be what the containerized tree is used to after it’s stay at the nursery. A couple weeks after you get it planted you can start to wean it off of the daily watering by moving to every other day. After about a week or two you can adjust to the recommended amount of water per week.
Going forward make sure your tree will get 6 gallons of water each week spread out between 3 waterings. Ideally your tree would get watered one gallon in the morning and one in the evening about three times per week. Typically adding one extra day of watering during heat waves. We recommend setting up drip irrigation for all your trees. That way you know your tree is being watered directly and sufficiently. Our sister company Aspen Landscape Development provides irrigation services if you are in need of repair or installation.
It’s important to have a plan in place for watering after your irrigation is winterized in the fall. New plantings especially are very susceptible to drying out in the fall and winter often resulting in damage or death. We recommend continuing to water your tree by hand on the same schedule it has been on until we start getting good snow pack.
Consider staking your new tree. Especially if it is a deciduous tree. Our area can get pretty windy and until your tree has established a sturdy tap root it will be easy for your tree to be blown over or even grow at a slight angle that may not seem noticeable while it’s happening until it’s too late.
We sell all the supplies you need to stake your tree. Just let us know what you need when you pick out your tree.
