How to Successfully Plant a Tree

Has the arrival of spring made you want to get out and plant something? Then why not consider planting a tree? Planting a tree is a great way to add color, shade, and cleaner air to your yard and landscaping. You can try a small sapling, or even opt for a more mature tree if you wish. No matter what you decide, properly planting your tree is the best way to ensure it will grow strong and survive. Take a look below at some helpful tips on how to successfully plant a tree and make sure you are able to enjoy it for years to come.

How to Successfully Plant a Tree

First, let’s look at the two types of trees you can plant. You can plant a bare root tree where the roots are exposed, or you can plant a burlap wrapped tree where the roots are wrapped with burlap. Depending on if the roots are wrapped or bare will decide how you will plant your tree.

How to plant bare root trees:

1. Begin by soaking the roots in a bucket of water for 24 hours. This will help hydrate them and give them a strong start. Only remove the tree when you are ready to plant it, as doing so before then will only dry it out.

2. Make a hole that is nice and wide so the roots have a chance to grow and stretch. You want the hole to be twice as deep as the roots and at least twice as wide.

3. Before planting the tree, snip away any dead or damaged roots so the plant doesn’t waste energy on them. If the roots are tightly compacted, gently try loosening them so they can grow freely.

4. Place the tree into the soil and use the previously dug out soil to cover it back up. Be sure to pile the soil up around the base of the tree to offer it support. You may also need to stake the tree if it is thin, as a strong wind or even children can pose a hazard to it.

5. Mulch around the tree to help keep moisture in. There is no need to fertilize your young tree and in fact, fertilizing isn’t advised. Just water well for the first few months to give it a strong start.

How to plant burlap wrapped trees:

1. Prepare a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball. The hole should however not be twice as deep, but in fact the exact length of the root ball if possible.

2. Add some water into the hole so the tree will have some immediate nourishment. There is no need to add fertilizer or food, as just water will do. Give the water a few minutes to settle before adding the tree.

3. Lower the entire root ball into the ground. You can now gently lower and fold down the burlap if you wish to the bottom of the root ball. This will allow the roots to start spreading out while the ball still has some protection with the burlap.

4. Use the soil you dug up to cover the base of the plant back up. Gather the soil well especially around the base of the tree.

5. Offer stakes if needed. Mulch may also be ideal to place around the base to hold moisture in.

In either case, protect the tree from children while it grows and strengthens. Keep an eye out for pests and remove them promptly once spotted. Try to avoid using any pesticides or chemicals of any kind on young trees as they won’t tolerate it well.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s start planting trees! Give these tips a try for planting a tree that will last for years.