Congratulations on your new trees! Trees and shrubs are great additions
to your lawn and garden. With proper planting and care they will offer you
shade and beauty for many years.
When: Your trees and shrubs should be planted as soon as possible
once you get them home. If they cannot be planted immediately, be sure the
plastic bag around the roots stays tightly wrapped and store trees in a
cool and shady place, protected from the elements.
Location: Consider several factors when determining the location
of your tree or shrub: wind and light exposure; soils and slope of the site;
and appropriate spacing (20 ft. for trees that will eventually be very large).
If you are planting a hedgerow, consider planting staggered rows of trees
with at least 4 ft between the rows and 4 ft. between each tree.
Planting:
- Do not open the plastic bag wrapping until you are ready to plant,
and take out only the tree(s) you need as you are planting.
- Do not expose the roots to wind or sunlight for even a short time.
- Dig a hole 2-3 times wider in all directions than the width of the
roots.The beginning of the root flare (line between the stem and the start
of the roots - usually visible as a distinct color change) is at or just
above the soil line and determines how deep you should plant the tree.
- Stand the tree up in the hole, and begin filling in with soil around
its roots.
- Fill only half-way, starting with the soil from closest to the surface
- it has the most nutrients and this is your best chance to deliver those
nutrients to the deepest, strongest roots.
- Once the hole is half filled, water the soil in the hole to collapse
all air pockets.
- Finish filling the hole, pack the soil down by foot or by hand, and
water again.
- Make sure to plant the tree at the correct level (by looking for the
root flare line). You also want the soil around the tree to be lower than
the surrounding ground so that water from precipitation will run toward
the tree - not away from it.
- Do not place sod or grass seed over the soil, as that will compete
with the tree for nutrients and water. Instead, mulch 2-4” deep using
woodchips, shavings, sawdust or compost to smother weeds and provide nutrients.
In order to discourage fungal attacks, do not mulch adjacent to the tree
trunk and make sure that the mulch layer is not mounded around the tree
(water still needs to run toward the tree).
Staking young trees is not necessary and can actually be detrimental
to proper growth. Exceptions may be on a windy site or if a plant has a very
small root system.
Watering is the most important aspect to establishing your new tree
or shrub. You should water your trees on a daily basis. For the first growing
season 5-10 gallons per day is needed (especially from July –September) if
you want your tree to thrive.
Fertilizing is generally not necessary.
Pruning: Newly planted trees require little to no pruning the first
year. After that, the amount of pruning depends on the tree and your personal
preferences. Most pruning should be done at the end of the winter (March-early
May) while the tree is still dormant.
