Tree Planting and Installation
Planting Procedures: Bare Root Trees
- Vital that roots be kept moist
- Normally planted only in dormant season
- If not planted immediately, must be stored cold ( 32- 40 degrees F )
- Dig planting hole no deeper than root collar (point where roots flare from trunk)
- Dig planting hole wide enough to allow even distribution and spreading of roots.
- Plant tree on small cone shaped mound within planting hole
- Spread roots evenly over mound
- Adjust trees depth to allow root collar to match surrounding grade
- Add backfill in layers until hole is ¾ full
- Water gently to remove air pockets, adjust tree and complete fill
- Because the root system is limited, bare root trees frequently require staking
Planting Procedures: Containerized Trees
- Tree should be well rooted and established in the container
- Gently remove container and inspect for circling roots
- Make 4-5 vertical cuts along side of root mass with sharp knife to sever any circling roots
- Gently tease roots out of root mass to prevent girdling
- Lower tree into hole making sure top of root mass is at or slightly higher than surrounding grade, adjust tree to upright position
- Backfill layers of soil over the roots until hole is ½ full
- Lightly tamp soil with hand or shovel to remove air pockets
- Complete backfill and water thoroughly
Planting Procedures: Balled and Burlapped Trees
- Root ball size is based on trunk caliper
- Ball should not be excessively wet or dry
- Ball should be held securely with twine and burlap, wire basket for larger trees
- Trunk should be centered in root ball
- Trunk should not move independently of root ball
Appropriate B&B Root Ball Sizes
Trunk Caliper (inches) Rootball Diameter½ ---------------------------------- 12
¾ ---------------------------------- 14
1 ----------------------------------- 16 1
½ ---------------------------------- 20
2 ----------------------------------- 24
2 ½ -------------------------------- 28
3 ----------------------------------- 32
Appropriate B&B Root Ball Size
Ratios for appropriate root ball depth- Root ball with less than 20 inch diameter, depth not less than 75% of diameter
- With diameters 20-30 inches, not less than 70% of diameter
- With diameters 30-48 inches, not less than 60% of diameter
Planting Procedures Balled and Burlapped Trees
- Always handle tree by root ball
- Remove wire basket ( if present ) completely if the root ball will stay together.
- If root ball appears slightly loose, leave wire basket in place and remove at least the upper 1/3 after placing in hole
- Remove burlap completely if synthetic or treated, it will NOT biodegrade
- Gently lower or roll root ball into hole
- Adjust tree to upright position
- Backfill layers of soil until hole is ½ full
- Lightly tamp soil to eliminate air pockets
- Remove all twine from around trunk to prevent girdling
- Remove top 1/3 of wire basket if it wasn’t removed earlier
- Cut away bulap from the top 1/3 of root ball allowing water to freely penetrate to the roots
- Complete backfilling and water thoroughly
- Remove all tags and labels to prevent girdling limbs
Common Planting Problems
- Planting too deep – suffocates roots
- Planting too shallow – roots dry out
- Hole too narrow – root system struggles to establish
- Soft fill added to bottom of hole – plant settles too deeply
- Twine left on trunk – girdles trunk Wire basket left intact – girdles roots
- Container tree circling roots left intact – root system girdles