How to Plant a Tree

Written By Ryan Schmidt

Planting trees is a wonderful way to create shade, add beauty to your neighborhood and aid in wildlife habitats. Proper planting is essential to ensure your tree stays healthy and thrives for years to come. 

When to Plant 

The best time to plant is early to mid spring, after the soil has thawed. Fall is also a fantastic time to plant. Summer planting is possible, but with hot temperatures and dry conditions can cause increased stress on trees and require more watering and care. 

Planting the Tree 

a. Dig a hole 2-3x as wide as the root ball and no deeper than the root collar. Planting too deep is one of the most common mistakes. The root collar should sit at or slightly above soil level 

Photo from Usu Extension

‘Planting Landscape Trees’

What is a Root Collar? 

The root collar is the point where the trunk transitions into the root system located above the roots begin to flare outward. This area must remain visible at the soil surface. See photo below 

Photo from Usu Extension

‘Planting Landscape Trees’

  1. Handle your tree by the root ball- do not pull on the tree truck to prevent damage. 

  2. Carefully set your tree in the hole- never drop your tree or you may break roots. Again ensuring the root collar is above or at the soil level. 

Root Preparation 

  1. If the tree is root bound- Carefully and minimally break up the root ball. It is common for container grown trees, due to roots circling on itself 

  2. Do not bend or kink roots to make it fit. You may need to dig the hole wider or carefully cut a minimum amount of roots. Cut out any crushed or torn or damaged roots 

Backfilling 

  1. Mix a good compost with the native soil. You want to mix at least 25% of composted organic material. You want to remove any large rocks if there are any in the area. Areas where high clay is, it's important to try to break that up with a good compost. 

  2. Pack the soil lightly to avoid over compaction. Keep the tree vertical and root collar at the right level. No roots should be visible when you are done backfilling. 

Mulching 

  1. Mulching around the tree is a fantastic option to increase roots and conserve water. Mulch should be 3-4 inches deep and maintained as it breaks down. Keep the mulch a couple inches away from the trunk to prevent root or trunk decay. 

Fertilizing 

  1. No fertilizers should be used at the time of planting. Mycorrhizae (a healthy fungi that attaches to roots and forces roots to grow) will help with developing a healthy root system or a root stimulator. 

  2. Fertilizing should be done after transplanting has occurred and the tree has recovered from any shock.

Staking 

  1. Staking may be required if you are planting a tree in a windy area or corner. Only stake newly planted trees and remove stakes after 1-2 years. Staking should be loose and any wire or cords must be padded to avoid damaging the tree trunk. 

Ryan Schmidt