How to Plant a Tree

Bare Root Seedlings

Be sure to keep the roots moist until the tree is planted. The hole should be as deep as the longest root and twice as wide as the root cluster. Create a small mound of soil at the base of hole, place the roots on the mound, and gently add the soil back into the hole, avoiding air pockets and compacted soil. Water the tree after planting.

Balled and Burlapped (B&B) Trees

Dig a hole twice the width and equal in depth to the root ball. Place the tree in the middle of the hole and stabilize the tree with back fill. Remove any wires or burlap. Add the rest of the soil back into the hole, avoiding air pockets and soil compaction. Water the tree after planting.

Containerized Trees

As above, dig the hole once the depth and twice the width of the container. Remove the container and gently tickle the roots so they are loose from the soil. If any roots are circling, lay the root ball on its side and slice the circling roots with a sharp knife. Place the tree roots gently into the hole and back fill the hole. Avoid air pockets and soil compaction. Water the tree after planting.

The number one cause of tree mortality is planting the tree too deep. With balled and burlapped and containerized plants, proper planting depth should be determined after removing excess soil from the trunk to expose the root collar. Do NOT plant the root collar below the surface of the soil. See the diagram below.