Back to Info Sheets	How to Plant New Trees 1.Dig a hole to accommodate the root system.  The hole should be twice the size of the pot or root ball, but only as deep as the pot or root ball. 2.Bare-root trees should be dug and purchased only after holes are dug and soil is prepared for planting. Roots must be kept moist and out of the sun. The trees should be planted in soil immediately. 3.Your  soil should  be amended at this time by adding peat moss or compost to improve drainage and increase water retention.  At planting time, sprinkle one or two handfuls of 6-12-12 granular fertilizer, or bonemeal, into the prepared soil. Most trees, not evergreen,  will also benefit from the addition of limestone to increase the soil pH, especially if peat moss has been added.  A new product to the market is MYKE'S mycorrhiza which will help new trees/shrubs  establish a fibrous root system quicker. 4.Container tree, balled and burlap trees and even bare root trees have to be planted at the same depth which they had been  grown in the nursery from which they originated, see figure 1.  Place the tree in the hole.  Take the tree out of the pot or remove any burlap and wire from  the root ball, as this may affect the health of the tree tn the future.  Remember it is ok if the tree is one or two inches higher that the surrounding  soil but very, very bad if it is one to two inches lower than the surrounding soil. 5.Fill the hole with prepared soil, tamp down firmly and stake the tree securely. Use three ties around the tree to hold it. Make sure there is a little movement in the staking to allow for strong root development.  Water thoroughly after planting. 6.Don't forget to mulch your tree.  Its such a little thing but it will befit the tree for years to come.  Apply a bark mulch approximately three inches thick to help maintain moisture during hot periods and also moderate freeze and thaw cycles during winter.  Keep the mulch 3 inches away from the bark to keep the stem  from rotting. 7.Trees should be fertilized each spring as buds begin to open. Use a balanced fertilizer such as 12-12-12, or spread compost around the tree base and work lightly into the soil. Keep the area under the tree free of grass for at least the first three years. A second application of fertilizer can be given in late June if desired. Give the new tree a thorough soaking if rainfall is low.  Run the sprinkler for an hour. 8.Check your trees for insect and disease problems regularly.  Bring samples of leaves and twigs in for examination if you are uncertain as to possible insect or disease problems. 9. Keep the tree staked for one year or longer, depending on exposure to wind.  Examine the tree in spring to determine if staking is still required.  If the tree has settled in but wind is an issue - loosen the stake a little further.  Check ties so that they don't cut into the bark of the tree--use rubber hose to prevent the wire from cutting into the  bark.   Vol. 97 no. 11
© Murray's Garden and Horticultural Services Last updated: March 2, 2008