How to Plant Trees
Trees are an investment. How well that investment grows depends on several factors including, the type of tree planted, its location, and the care provided. Getting your new tree off to a healthy start will help the tree mature to its full size and ensure it will provide environmental, economic, and social benefits throughout its lifetime.
The Best Time to Plant a Tree
Trees (and shrubs) can be planted any time of the year when you can dig the proper planting hole. However, there are better times than others for multiple reasons.
Suffice it to say, the more time you can put between when you plant a tree, and the arrival of summer, the better. That makes fall the very best time of year to relocate trees and shrubs or plant new ones. Early spring is a popular time as well.
When your trees arrive
Store the trees upright, sheltered from frost and wind. If the roots look like they’re drying out, lightly spray them with water to keep them moist.
HOW TO CHOOSE WHERE TO PLANT
These include:
How much space does your tree require to grow? How large will the canopy grow (crown spread), and how deep and far will the roots spread? Keep in mind that a tree’s roots can spread much wider than its canopy aboveground.
Considering the standard growth structure of your chosen species will help inform how far you should plan to plant away from structures, foundations, driveways or sidewalks, underground plumbing, power lines, and any other built or natural features of the property. A good rule of thumb here is that trees usually need more space than you’d think!
As above, so below. To be on the safe side, call your utility company so that they can mark any underground lines that may be running through your property. This will help you avoid future headaches associated with damaging utility lines.
Another often overlooked but important consideration is: what happens in your yard during different seasons throughout the year? Are you okay with the tree-dropping
leaves, needles, seeds, cones, fruit, nuts, or sap?
And finally: what are your plans for the future? Whenever you plant a tree, the hope is that it will be able to live out its lifespan. To help ensure that, it’s worth thinking about whether you’ll want to build a garage, shed, play area, or other structure in the future — and plan around that.
Step-by-step planting guide:
Step 1
Make sure the roots are submerged in a bucket of water for 2 hours before planting. Exposed roots don’t do well – the root hairs dry easily and quickly die.
Step 2
Dig a hole: it should be at least double the width of the root ball. Keep the topsoil in a separate pile, if you can, and mix it with some compost. Break up the soil in the bottom of the hole. Trees over 1.5 m tall (or spindly or exposed trees) will need a little support – pop a meter-long stake firmly in the ground next to where you’re planting the tree, on the side that will be facing the wind.
Step 3
Place your tree in the center of the hole and spread the roots, making sure that it’s deep enough that the soil lines up with the soil mark on the stem (this line shows where the stem ends and the roots begin).
Step 4
Spread the soil mix carefully around the roots, gently shaking the tree to make sure that the soil is in contact with the roots. Compact the soil around the tree and gently tug it to make sure it’s secure. Water generously to settle the soil around the roots and tether the tree to the stake if you’re using one.
Step 5
Don’t forget about your tree! The first weeks and a couple of years after planting are especially important. Water daily for the first two weeks, and then weekly for the first year while the tree is active (has its leaves). Regularly check the soil is firm around the tree and tear off any suckers (growths rising from the roots). Remember to loosen tethers as your tree grows, readjusting as necessary to stop ties from biting into the stem. The stake can be removed after 3 years.
While all the above steps are essential, your active engagement in monitoring newly planted trees for signs of distress over time will be the ultimate deciding factor in your tree planting success. Make any necessary adjustments in real-time, and you can likely reverse a potentially downward spiral into a tree that will live a happy and very long life.
