Tree Planting and Installation
Planting Seasons, Proper Timing: Bare Root
- Early spring as soon as soil becomes workable
- Container and B&B: early fall through late spring
- Plantings done in summer require more watering and maintenance, are more prone to failureTree Installation
Pre-planting Care: Protect Trees From
- Mechanical injury
- Desiccation, (drying out)
- Overheating
- Trees should be planted soon after purchase or heeled in, in cool, sheltered location and kept moist
- Always carry trees by the root ball or container, never lift tree by the trunk, this extra movement causes the fine feeder roots to break away and die
Planting Site Preparation
- Planting hole should accommodate root system comfortably
- Hole should be 2-3 times width of root ball, sloping down to width of root ball at base
- Hole should be just deep enough to allow root collar or trunk flare to be level or slightly higher than surface grade
Plant Preparation
- Due to production techniques, B&B and container trees often arrive planted too deep in the ball
- It is imperative that the natural root flare be located before planting
- Top of root ball should be even or slightly higher than surrounding grade when planted
Planting Site Soil Conditions
- Heavy clay, poorly drained, and compacted soil
- Hole should be dug wider and shallower to allow as much as 4 inches of root ball to protrude above surrounding grade.
- Gradually slope the soil up from the grade to meet the edge of the rootball.
- Do not dig deeper than necessary, tree needs firm support to keep from settling.
- Soil removed from hole should be used as backfill, soil amendments have not proven beneficial.
