| You've chosen the perfect tree for that perfect | | | | Burlap can be laid down on the bottom of the |
| spot in your garden. It has made the journey | | | | hole. |
| from being on display at the nursery all the way | | | | Gently spread the roots out into the hole. You |
| to your home, whether you brought it or you've | | | | may prune some of the roots if they appear to |
| had it delivered. Now it's time to plant. | | | | have a circling pattern. Remember that you want |
| The hole that you dig should be only as deep as | | | | the roots to grow outward and not back toward |
| the root ball of the tree. If you dig it too deep | | | | the trunk. |
| you may end up burying the trunk flare or | | | | Gently begin to fill the hole with soil. Add a few |
| preventing good gas exchange for the root | | | | inches and compact as you go with your feet, a |
| system. If it is not deep enough, though, the tree | | | | tamper, or water to remove air pockets. Soil |
| will struggle to gets its roots to a good depth. | | | | amenities can be mixed in with your fill, but you |
| Your hole should be three times the width of the | | | | should not add fertilizer. It is good to add water |
| root ball. The soil that you are digging into is likely | | | | as you go to promote settling and compacting. |
| to be compacted and difficult for a new tree's | | | | When the hole is filled to grade, put a mulch layer |
| roots to penetrate. So make your hole wide so | | | | on top. Two to four inches of mulch is ideal. More |
| that roots can grow outward immediately. Failure | | | | than four inches is not advisable, as it can cause |
| in newly planted trees is often due to small | | | | problems such as poor gas exchange and root |
| planting holes that leave a tree no chance to | | | | burning. Be careful not to mound mulch at the |
| expand its root system. | | | | trunk flare. Mulch is very beneficial to the root |
| A clever way to promote root health in newly | | | | system but can be harmful to the trunk, causing |
| planted trees is to install rootwells at the edge of | | | | bark decay and inviting fungus and pests. |
| the planting pit. Three of them is usually enough | | | | Your new tree will require lots of water. A slow |
| for a small caliper tree. They allow irrigation to go | | | | soak that saturates the full depth of the root |
| deep enough to water the root system, allow | | | | system is required to promote good root depth. |
| critical gas exchange, and encourage diving roots | | | | Your lawn irrigation system will not achieve this. A |
| for a healthier root system. Your arborist can | | | | soaker hose or irrigation bag is advisable. This |
| show you these devices and easily guide you | | | | should be done at least once a week in the first |
| through installing them. Don't have an arborist? Call | | | | season. If you have installed rootwells, you will be |
| one. They are always more than happy to offer | | | | much more likely to irrigate to the proper depth. |
| advice and guidance. | | | | We perform all of our tree care in the Northern |
| As you maneuver the tree into its hole, be careful | | | | Virginia area which has a reasonably temperate |
| not to lift it by its trunk. This could severely | | | | climate, but the guidelines above can be followed |
| damage it, and in some cases kill it. It should be | | | | in any climate across the country. Of course, it's |
| moved by lifting the root ball or container. When it | | | | always best to check with a tree service |
| is in the hole, position it so that the trunk is | | | | professional before taking on a project your not |
| upright and the trunk flare is at or slightly above | | | | certain of. |
| grade. Cut away the container or wrap and | | | | Enjoy you new tree as you watch it grow! |
| remove any wires or twine binding the root ball. | | | | |