okPLANTtrees - Resources - Educational

The following guides have been provided by Sunshine Nursery & Arboretum:

Planting your Tree

When to Plant
The best time to plant a tree is in the fall through early spring when the the tree is under the least environmental stress. However, container grown trees can be planted at any time of year because the root system is not disturbed when you plant. Good watering practices must be followed for success. The warmer the temperatures are when you plant, the more you'll be required to water. When the tree is first planted, the original ball of dirt is the only area from which your tree can get water. Your watering must penetrate that area completely and keep it moist for the tree to establish and survive. So, you will probably need to water your tree every day for the first several months if it is planted in the late spring or summer.

Preparing the Hole
You do not need to add soil amendments to your hole when planting a tree. The roots of your tree will grow out far into your yard, so you should choose a species of tree that will grow well in the soil you have. Dig your hole only as deep as the root ball of your tree. A deeper hole can cause the tree to sink, burying it too deep. The root ball should be even with the surrounding soil when you place it in the hole. It is, however, a good idea to dig the hole wider than the root ball. This loosens the soil around the tree and will promote better initial root growth.

Planting the Tree
Now you are ready to plant your tree. Be gentle with the root ball. You do not want it to break apart, because this will severely damage many of the tree's tiny roots. Before you plant your tree, look at it from several angles to decide how you want it oriented in the hole. Plant the tree trunk straight up and down. If the top of your tree curves in one direction, point the top to the southwest. Our winds will help straighten it as it grows. Handle your tree only by the root ball. Lifting and pulling on the tree trunk can break the roots that will be anchoring your tree.

If you bought a tree in a container, grab the tree at the base of the trunk, lift it just slightly off the ground (an inch or two) and tap sharply on the rim of the container. The pot should come loose. Then carefully lift up the tree and set it gently in the hole. For large containers, lay the tree on it's side and slide it out of the pot.

If you bought a tree in a "grow bag", the root ball will be in a cloth bag with a plastic bottom, instead of a plastic pot. The grow bag must be removed when you plant your trees, but you must do it carefully and not break apart the root ball. Make sure your hole is wide enough so that you have about six inches of room to work all around the root ball. First, lean the tree over and carefully cut away the plastic at the bottom. Then, set your tree down into the hole. Next, slice down the sides of the grow bag in several places, so that the bag can be removed in pieces---with the root ball intact. Some of the tree's fine roots will have rooted into the fabric of the bag. If you are having trouble removing all of the bag, it is ok to leave some in the hole, as long as it is sufficiently mutilated and out of the way. You want to make sure that the roots have contact with the soil and that the tree will be able to root out into your soil. The most important thing is that you do not break apart the root ball, so work carefully! If you bought a tree in a burlap bag, after the tree is set in the hole and some dirt has been added to the hole, cut loose the tie around the base of the trunk. This tie will not decompose fast enough, and if left on the tree will girdle the trunk and can kill the tree. The burlap can be pulled back from the trunk, but does not have to be removed because it will quickly decompose and will not inhibit root growth. This is only true if it is common burlap---plastic burlap must be removed. The root control "grow bag" is a better growing method and is used exclusively at Sunshine Nursery.

Fill the dirt back in the hole, firmly --- but don't stomp. The soil should just cover the root ball. Make sure there is no twine or anything left around the trunk that could cause girdling. To help with watering your tree, you should build a "dam" around the tree. Build up the dirt several inches high in a circle around the tree, 2 to 3 feet in diameter. This will hold more water and direct the water into the root ball when you water. Water the tree well when you are finished planting to eliminate air pockets and settle the soil.If you have heavy clay soil, you'll need to be more careful when watering. You'll have to water enough to ensure that the root ball is wet, but you do not want want water to stand around the tree for an extended period of time.

References:
Tree Pruning: A Worldwide Photo Guide. Shigo, Alex L. c. 1989. Shigo and Trees Assoc. Durham.