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How to Plant a Tree

Tree planting is an easy and effective way of adding height, color and beauty to your garden. Trees provide a number of benefits, including shade in the summer, a windbreak in the winter and cleaner air all year round.

While the actual planting of the tree is not difficult at all, the process leading up to the planting does require planning and work. Once the tree is planted and has been given time to mature, any changes become more difficult

Choosing the Tree

One of the major factors to take into account when choosing trees is climate. For example, it wouldn't be feasible to choose a tree from the tropics if it snows eight months out of the year where you live. The tree would die by the end of the first year, if not sooner. Pick a tree that will survive and thrive in the local climate.

Soil quality also makes a difference. Trees, like most other plants, prefer high quality soil. If you're planting a young tree, use high quality soil that drains well and isn't contaminated with chemicals and pesticides.

The tree you choose will also depend on the size of the area you have to work with. While that oak sapling may look small now, in thirty or forty years it may be pushing its way through fences, sidewalks and the wall of your house.

Planting the Tree

Once you've found the perfect tree and the perfect spot, you're ready to plant it. Follow these steps to prepare the hole and care for your tree until it's established:

Dig a hole the depth of the root ball and about three to four times its diameter. A square hole is better than a round hole. The roots of some trees will circle when planted in a round hole.
While some recommend amending the soil, this is necessary only in very poor soil. Your tree should become accustomed to the soil all around it, not only to the soil in the hole.
Place the tree's rootball in the middle of the hole, slightly above ground level to will allow for settling, and back fill.
Drive two stakes into the soil on opposite sides of the tree, about two feet out from the trunk and in line with the prevailing wind. Using two pieces of flexible hosing, make a loose figure eight between the tree trunk and each stake. Secure both ends of each piece of hose into its stake with a large-headed nail.
Water well.
Mulch to up to six inches from the trunk.
Deep water regularly. Even drought tolerant trees need to be watered regularly during their first growing season or until well established.
Leave the stakes in as support for one entire growing season or until the tree can "stand" on its own.

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