Tree planting
TREE PLANTING GUIDELINES.
In order to have a healthy tree in the future; the tree must be planted properly. The following are guidelines to assist you in planting your tree properly. Prior to planting, remember to move the tree by the root ball or the container. Never grab it by the trunk.
1. Digging the Hole:
The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball or container to encourage the roots to grow into the surrounding soil. The sides of the planting hole should be sloped. The hole should be no deeper then the root ball or container to prevent the tree from settling or being planted too deeply.
2. Tree Preparations:
For a container tree; remove the container. For a balled and bur lapped (B&B) tree, remove the rope around the trunk and loosen the burlap. If the root flare is not visible, gently remove soil from the top of the ball until the tree is again at proper soil level. On both types of trees, check for large circling roots. If present, use pruning shears to make a clean cut. (Girdling roots will continue to grow in a circle, resulting in the death of the tree.). If the circling roots are fibrous, make 3 or 4 vertical slits into the sides of the root ball about 1 inch deep. On B&B trees, remove as much wire, rope, burlap and other materials as possible once the tree is in the hole. On both types of trees, remove all labels, tags, wire, and rope from trunk & branches to prevent the girdling as it grows.
3. Backfill:
Use the same soil that was taken out of the hole. If the soil is very poor and appears to need topsoil, increase the hole size and sparingly mix in some local topsoil (avoid using potting soil, peat moss, and soil amendments). Remove stones and other debris. Fill the hole halfway with backfill, then water. Finish filling the hole with the backfill and water again. Make sure to work the soil around the ball firmly to eliminate any air pockets. Also, make sure the tree is vertical and properly supported, but
In order to have a healthy tree in the future; the tree must be planted properly. The following are guidelines to assist you in planting your tree properly. Prior to planting, remember to move the tree by the root ball or the container. Never grab it by the trunk.
1. Digging the Hole:
The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball or container to encourage the roots to grow into the surrounding soil. The sides of the planting hole should be sloped. The hole should be no deeper then the root ball or container to prevent the tree from settling or being planted too deeply.
2. Tree Preparations:
For a container tree; remove the container. For a balled and bur lapped (B&B) tree, remove the rope around the trunk and loosen the burlap. If the root flare is not visible, gently remove soil from the top of the ball until the tree is again at proper soil level. On both types of trees, check for large circling roots. If present, use pruning shears to make a clean cut. (Girdling roots will continue to grow in a circle, resulting in the death of the tree.). If the circling roots are fibrous, make 3 or 4 vertical slits into the sides of the root ball about 1 inch deep. On B&B trees, remove as much wire, rope, burlap and other materials as possible once the tree is in the hole. On both types of trees, remove all labels, tags, wire, and rope from trunk & branches to prevent the girdling as it grows.
3. Backfill:
Use the same soil that was taken out of the hole. If the soil is very poor and appears to need topsoil, increase the hole size and sparingly mix in some local topsoil (avoid using potting soil, peat moss, and soil amendments). Remove stones and other debris. Fill the hole halfway with backfill, then water. Finish filling the hole with the backfill and water again. Make sure to work the soil around the ball firmly to eliminate any air pockets. Also, make sure the tree is vertical and properly supported, but