Planting Trees and Shrubs

To ensure healthy trees, start with right tree in the right location. Once you select a tree suited for your site and its microcliamate, be sure to plant the tree correctly.

Incorrect Planting Examples

• Crossing branches not pruned.
• Damaged branches not pruned or removed.
• Unnecessary tree wrap.
• Tree label not removed.
• Tree Planted too deep.
• Ropes left around trunk.
• Black plastic mulch smothering roots.
• Wire basket not removed
• No soil pedestal. Water accumulates in bottom of planting hole, not enough oxygen for roots.
• Leader has been pruned.
• Buds have been pruned.
• Branch with narrow crotch angle not removed.
• Short stake at angle, unprotected guy wires.
• Tree staked for more than one year.
• Deep mulch retaining excess moisture against trunk.
• Hightly amended soil has settled, sinking root ball, water collects.
• Hole not wide enough.
• Stake drive through root ball.
• Treated burlap not removed or slit for root extension

Correct Planting Tips

• Light pruning: rubbing, crossed or damaged branches are removed.
• Trunk protected by loose tree guard, taken off after one year.
• Only existing soil used as backfill.
• Planting hole 2-3 times root ball width, depth same as root ball.
• Leader left unpruned
• Less potentially damaging nylon or plastic guying
• Stake (if needed) driven into soil outside root ball, removed after one year.
• 2" - 3" organic mulch applied well away from trunk, no black plastic mulch layer.
• All ropes removed, top half of burlap and wire basket removed, burlap slit for root extension.

The Perfect Planting Hole

• Partially backfill, water to settle soil, then finish backfilling hole.
• Widen and score hole wall.
• Leave solid soil pedestal.
• Do not dig deeper than root ball depth.
• Unamended Backfill soil (no peat, bark, sand, etc.)
• Area for water drainage (pipe or tile could be installed)

Your Finished Planting

• Remove tags and labels.
• Do not stake trunk unless the tree has a large crown, or the planting is situated on a windy site or where people may push them over.
• Stake for a maximum of one year. NOTE: Evergreens rarely require staking
• Prune basal suckers.
• Spread roots out over soil pedestal evenly before filling.
• Do not prune terminal leader or branch tips.
• Prune any codominat leaders or narrow crotch angles.
• Prune rubbing or crossed branches.
• Prune any broken branches.
• Add 2" - 3" of mulch kept away from trunk.
• Soak soil well, making sure no air pockets form between roots, then apply mulch.

Last modified 2007-07-12