How to Plant a Tree
The time to plant more trees is now. It’s spring! The surround sound of our natural world echoes with peeping frogs and twittering birds. The bright sun warms our faces and boosts our spirits. There are so many reasons to add a tree or two to your home. Shade trees planted on the west side of your property reduce heating and cooling bills. All trees create animal habitat, produce oxygen, reduce water run-off, and boost positive emotions.
Planting a tree the right way ensures longevity. Not an arborist? No problem! Tree planting is for everyone. Follow along to learn from the experts how to plant a tree the Tree Trust way. Then, share your new tree planting skills with your friends and neighbors! With this easy-to-follow guide explaining the why behind every step, soon you will be planting trees to create greener futures for generations to come.
Here are the tools you will need:
- Shovel
- Rake
- Pruning Saw
- Pruner
- Water
- Mulch
Step One: Remove everything from the tree
Carefully cut away all tags and plastic and remove the tree guard. If you are planting a bare-root tree that is not in a container and does not have soil, skip to step four.
Step Two: Remove tree from container
Gently tip the tree container on its side. Use your hands to roll the container from side to side and push on the container to loosen the tree. Remove the tree from the container and set the tree aside.
Step Three: Prepare the root ball for planting
Tree roots naturally grow horizontally. Container-grown trees have roots that grow in a circle. Tree Trust plants trees that have grown in containers for seven to ten years! If the root ball is left in this compacted state, the tree will not live to maturity. First, use your saw to cut one inch of soil off from the bottom of the root ball. Next, saw off one inch of soil from each side of the root ball. This is called a box cut. It’s okay if your box cut looks more like an octagon. This process will prevent stem-girdling roots, which happens when circling tree roots are left untended and cause serious damage to the tree.
Step Four: Find the root flare
The root flare is the primary, pencil-sized root growing out from the stem of the tree. The root flare must be level with the ground when the tree is planted to ensure healthy growth. Don’t be afraid to use your hands to move soil from the root ball at the base of the tree to find the root flare.
Step Five: Dig the hole
Dig a planting hole that is just as deep as the root ball and twice as large as the root ball. (Rejoice in all your prep work that just saved you from digging more than needed!) Set all dirt and grass aside; you will need that momentarily.
Step 6: Place tree in hole
Place your tree in the hole. Use your rake to check correct planting depth by laying it horizontally across the top of the hole. Use the rake as a visual guide to ensure the root flare is flush with the ground. You may need to add or remove dirt. Once the tree sits with the root flare perfectly aligned with the ground, start to backfill soil around the tree. Use the rake to move any excess soil into the hole.
Step 7: Water the tree
Water the dirt you just packed in and let it settle. Now pack in the dirt again to remove air pockets. Step away from the tree and confirm it is plumb from two different angles. Adjust as needed. Make sure the dirt is firm and not squishy.
Step 8: Mulch the tree
Before mulching, use any excess grass hunks to make a circle (berm) around the base of the tree. Place the grass green side down, dirt side up. Now add your bag of mulch by pouring around the base of the tree. Use your hands to move the mulch away from the tree trunk, forming a doughnut shape. It’s important that the mulch ring be three inches deep and three inches away from the tree trunk. The heat and moisture in the mulch ring can harm the trunk.
Step 9: Water
Use your bucket of water to pour the remaining water around the mulch ring.
Step back and enjoy the beauty of your new tree. Commit to watering it weekly. Newly planted trees need adequate water to grow happily. Join us in making a difference by planting trees the Tree Trust way, ensuring they grow strong and healthy in our communities. Please view examples of each step in our brand new How to Plant a Tree video. Happy tree planting!
