You've chosen the perfect tree for that perfect spot in your garden. It has made the journey from being on display at the nursery all the way to your home, whether you brought it or you've had it delivered. Now it's time to plant.
The hole that you dig should be only as deep as the root ball of the tree. If you dig it too deep you may end up burying the trunk flare or preventing good gas exchange for the root system. If it is not deep enough, though, the tree will struggle to gets its roots to a good depth.
Your hole should be three times the width of the root ball. The soil that you are digging into is likely to be compacted and difficult for a new tree's roots to penetrate. So make your hole wide so that roots can grow outward immediately. Failure in newly planted trees is often due to small planting holes that leave a tree no chance to expand its root system.
A clever way to promote root health in newly planted trees is to install rootwells at the edge of the planting pit. Three of them is usually enough for a small caliper tree. They allow irrigation to go deep enough to water the root system, allow critical gas exchange, and encourage diving roots for a healthier root system. Your arborist can show you these devices and easily guide you through installing them. Don't have an arborist? Call one. They are always more than happy to offer advice and guidance.
As you maneuver the tree into its hole, be careful not to lift it by its trunk. This could severely damage it, and in some cases kill it. It should be moved by lifting the root ball or container. When it is in the hole, position it so that the trunk is upright and the trunk flare is at or slightly above grade. Cut away the container or wrap and remove any wires or twine binding the root ball. Burlap can be laid down on the bottom of the hole.
Gently spread the roots out into the hole. You may prune some of the roots if they appear to have a circling pattern. Remember that you want the roots to grow outward and not back toward the trunk.
Gently begin to fill the hole with soil. Add a few inches and compact as you go with your feet, a tamper, or water to remove air pockets. Soil amenities can be mixed in with your fill, but you should not add fertilizer. It is good to add water as you go to promote settling and compacting.
When the hole is filled to grade, put a mulch layer on top. Two to four inches of mulch is ideal. More than four inches is not advisable, as it can cause problems such as poor gas exchange and root burning. Be careful not to mound mulch at the trunk flare. Mulch is very beneficial to the root system but can be harmful to the trunk, causing bark decay and inviting fungus and pests.
Your new tree will require lots of water. A slow soak that saturates the full depth of the root system is required to promote good root depth. Your lawn irrigation system will not achieve this. A soaker hose or irrigation bag is advisable. This should be done at least once a week in the first season. If you have installed rootwells, you will be much more likely to irrigate to the proper depth.
We perform all of our tree care in the Northern Virginia area which has a reasonably temperate climate, but the guidelines above can be followed in any climate across the country. Of course, it's always best to check with a tree service professional before taking on a project your not certain of.
Enjoy you new tree as you watch it grow!
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