| You need to understand that when you plant a | | | | you aerate, the more easily the roots can spread |
| tree, you have no control over the type of soil | | | | and consequently the more your tree will grow. |
| you have! There are many sources out there | | | | Tightly compacted soil is difficult for roots to |
| who will tell you to add this or that to your soil to | | | | grow through. The area that should be aerated is |
| "change" it. Do not waste your time. Your soil is | | | | actually quite large. You should till an area at least |
| what it is and there is nothing you can or should | | | | three feet in diameter for each tree and as deep |
| do about it. The reason is that when a tree | | | | as three feet. Even if you are planting a small |
| grows, its roots spread, and no matter what you | | | | bare root seedling, you need to aerate a |
| do to try to change the soil, you will not be able | | | | tremendous amount of soil. This is why a rototiller |
| to change it as far as the roots will eventually | | | | is so useful. Roots grow at the same rate as the |
| spread, so do not waste your time. | | | | top, so if the roots can spread easily, the top will |
| The first step to establishing a vigorous fast | | | | grow faster. |
| growing tree is fertilizer. Trees need energy to | | | | Now that you have the soil prepared, avoid |
| grow. Even young seedlings need energy. Energy | | | | walking on the area as much as possible. Plant the |
| is found in fertilizer. Nitrogen, phosphate, and | | | | tree. If it is bare root, make a hole large enough |
| potassium, or NPK are the main nutrients that | | | | that the roots can be left in their natural position, |
| fast growing trees need. Never assume that your | | | | and plant the tree being careful to keep the roots |
| dirt is fine. Add these nutrients to your soil prior | | | | from being bent by the dirt. Then water in the |
| to step two. Fertilize with a controlled release | | | | tree which just means to water the tree to |
| 18-6-12. Using a controlled release fertilizer will | | | | settle the dirt that you have just planted it in. |
| prevent you from injuring your tree. Controlled | | | | Make sure that the tree is not too deep or too |
| release fertilizers allow the tree to obtain the | | | | shallow. It should be at the same level that it was |
| nutrients it needs when it needs them. Fertilizing | | | | when it first grew as a seedling. For potted trees, |
| first allows the fertilizer to be incorporated evenly | | | | check for circling roots. If you find any, cut them |
| throughout the soil and allows it to be absorbed | | | | off because they will maintain that circular shape |
| by the roots more readily. | | | | as the tree grows, and soon, they will be so large |
| The second step in preparing to plant your fast | | | | they will strangle the root system and kill the tree. |
| growing tree involves aeration. The soil in the area | | | | Plant them the same as you would the bare root |
| of the planting needs to be aerated. In potato | | | | tree. |
| farming, there is a rototiller known as a Howard | | | | After you have planted your tree, do not walk on |
| Rotavator. If you can get someone with one of | | | | the tilled area. If you do, you will compact the soil |
| these, do it. Otherwise, loosen the soil as much as | | | | and slow the growth of your tree. |
| you can with whatever you have. The more soil | | | | |