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- LOCATE where the roots begin to spread out from the base of the tree trunk.
This bulge is called the root collar. Remove any soil that
may be surrounding the root collar.
 MEASURE the
distance, using your shovel as a measuring stick, from the root
collar to the bottom
of the root ball (covered with burlap
and wire). This is how deep the hole should be. - DIG a wide
hole: it should be 2-3 times wider than the root ball but no deeper.
By digging
a wide hole, you will loosen up the soil
surrounding the root ball, making it much easier for the tree roots
to push through and
establish themselves. Most of the roots will live in the top 12
inches of soil.
- TIP the tree
to one side, and remove any tags and ribbons attached to its branches.
It will be very difficult to reach
them once the
tree is upright in the ground. This is also a good time to snip
any dead, broken
or rubbing branches with a hand pruner.
 ROLL the
tree into the hole. Avoid dragging the tree or lifting it by the
trunk, because this
stress will damage the roots. Please
keep the wire cage and burlap around the root ball to protect
the roots during this
step and the next one.- STRAIGHTEN the tree in the hole. This may require packing more soil beneath
or to the side of the root ball.
- CUT
OFF the
twine and wire cage holding the burlap around
the root ball, and then roll back at least 1/2 to 2/3 of
the burlap. Although the
natural fiber will eventually decompose, removing the burlap
will
make it much easier for the roots to absorb water and grow
into the soil.
- BACKFILL the planting hole with soil about 2/3 of the way.
- ADD one
package of mycorrhizae. This is a fungus that lives with tree roots
and helps them absorb water
and nutrients.
- FINISH backfilling
the planting hole with soil, and make sure you pack the soil
gently but firmly as you go. One person
may need to hold the tree in place in
order to keep it straight. You may also want
to rake the soil smooth
around the tree.
- WATER around
the tree to eliminate air pockets and feed the thirsty roots.
Be sure not to overwater and make a mud puddle in the hole.
 CHECK to
make sure the root collar is still visible, just above the soil.
Planting a tree too deep can
kill it, because the roots won’t
be able to get the water and air they need! - GENTLY grab
hold of the trunk, and check to see if the tree is
set and secure in the ground.
Add
more soil if necessary (but
not near the root collar), because
you don’t
want the tree to tip once the soil settles. If the soil
became too muddy during watering, you may need to stake your
tree for a month or so.
- SPREAD mulch
around the tree pit. A 2-3 inch layer is best for keeping the soil
insulated and moist without
starving the
roots of oxygen. Also make sure that there
is
no mulch touching
the tree
bark: a
6-inch buffer
will protect the tree trunk from rotting.
- ENJOY your
new tree!
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