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How to Plant a Tree
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Regardless of your climate and location, planting is a key element in successful tree growth. Make sure the tree you want to plant is suited for the region in which you live. Some species don't hold up well under harsh winter conditions, while others are finicky about having their roots too wet or too dry. Physical surroundings are also important considerations. Planting too close to power lines or homes is a frequent mistake - not allowing enough room for the tree to reach full growth at maturity. It is also imperative to maintain a defensible space around your home. Do not plant trees too close together or near any residences.
For Best Results - Plant Your Seedling in a Large Planting Container or Pot for its First Year
Your seedling will do best if started in a planting pot for its first year. Make sure the pot is deep and wide enough (twice as deep and twice as wide), and that it provides adequate drainage. Mix amended soil with natural soil, with about equal parts of each.
Water is extremely important in your seedling's early life. Deep water your new tree every few days to ensure adequate root structure development. It is also important that your seedling gets plenty of sunlight.
Selecting a permanent site for your tree
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Exactly where you plant your tree can have a significant impact on its growth and survival.
In forested landscapes, foresters take care to space seedlings to allow for adequate sunlight, water, and nutrient consumption. All too often in unmanaged forestlands, trees have grown too close together, too thick, and suffer due to competition for these life-essential elements. When forests get too crowded, trees grow weak, susceptible to disease and insect infestation, and ultimately become fuel for monster fires that burn unnaturally hot. Seedlings should be spaced at least 20 feet apart.
For your seedling, choose a place at least 20 to 30 feet from your house and not under telephone or electrical wires. Trees planted too close to sidewalks, power lines or residences may cause damage to those structures as they grow.
With a location in mind and a tree in hand, you're ready to plant. Proper planting procedures are essential to making sure that the tree has a good shot at a long life. Depending on whether your tree is containerized or bare root, consult the information below and follow the steps for planting.
Once the tree is in the ground, its success depends on your taking care of it. This means water and mulch. You should water the tree deeply each week for the first year; about two to three gallons should do it. Avoid over-watering during winter and spring months when soils are naturally wet. Also, give your tree a "mulch-blanket," a 2-4 inch covering of rotten leaves, wood chips, pine straw or shredded bark that will insulate the ground, decrease weeds, keep moisture around the roots and provide food for your tree. Make sure that the mulch blanket is not piled up on and touching the base of the tree. Leave a little space between the tree and where the mulch begins.
A careful planting job makes life easier on the young tree. An incorrectly planted tree will use too much of its energy trying to right itself rather than concentrating on growing. Take the time to plant your tree correctly, and you will be rewarded with the natural beauty it offers. Good luck!
Step-by-Step Planting Instructions
Planting a containerized tree:
1. Water the tree thoroughly and remove from its pot or container. Dig the hole as deep as the rootball and twice as wide.
2. Check to see if the soil around the hole is too hard - if it is, loosen it up a bit with the shovel.
3. Remove the container from the rootball. (The roots are like the tree's blood vessels and they work best if they are not twisted and knotted up. You might need to straighten them out if they are circling around after having grown in the container.) Ensure that the hole is as deep as the roots are long after being untangled.
4. Place the tree in the hole, making sure the soil is at the same level on the tree as when the tree grew in the container. If your tree has burlap around the rootball, place the tree in the hole and then carefully untie the burlap. Leave the burlap lying in the bottom of the hole.
5. Fill in around the rootball with soil and pack the soil with your hands and feet to make sure that there are no air pockets.
6. If you have well-drained soil or live in a dry area, make a little burm around the base of the tree with a moat a few feet away from the base of the tree to hold in the water. If you have poorly draining soil or live in a wet area, plant the tree on a mound so that water drains away from the root ball.
7. Use wooden stakes and tree ties to help the tree support itself for the first year. Don't make the ties too tight or the tree might grow into them and damage itself.
8. Mulch the base and give your new tree a good soaking of water to help settle it into its new home.
Planting a bare root tree:
1. Dig a hole one to two times the diameter of the root system.
2. Scrape the side of the hole with a garden fork. This will help the roots expand into the surrounding soil.
3. Loosen the soil in the bottom of the hole, and pound a stake into the ground on each side of the hole.
4. Place the tree's roots in the loose soil in the center of the hole, making sure they are pointed straight down. The tree should be planted at the same level as it was growing before. Add enough soil to the hole to support the tree and spray the area with water.
5. Back fill more soil into the hole and add more water. Repeat until the hole is filled in.
6. Pat down the soil with the back of the shovel to eliminate air pockets around the roots.
7. If you have well-drained soil or live in a dry area, make a little burm around the base of the tree with a moat a few feet away from the base of the tree to hold in the water. If you have poorly draining soil or live in a wet area, plant the tree on a mound so that water drains away from the root ball.
8. Use wooden stakes and tree ties to help the tree support itself for the first year. Don't make the ties too tight or the tree might grow into them and damage itself.
9. Mulch the base and give your new tree a good soaking of water to help settle it into its new home.
Care following planting:
All planting should be followed by regular inspections. You should check for survival and plan for replacement trees. Look for yellow or drooping foliage or other signs of poor health. Animals can be a major cause of damage to young trees.
Keep competing vegetation away from your tree to ensure it is getting enough water, light and soil nutrients. Over watering is a common problem with irrigation systems. You probably won't need to water more frequently that every 7-14 day. Give your tree a very thorough, deep soak and then let the soil dry out before the next watering. This encourages the roots to grow down in search of water. Frequent, shallow watering encourages root growth near the surface and the trees are more dependent on irrigation and less windfirm.
Help save our forests
The Forest Foundation and its sponsors provide thousands of free seedlings every year as part of an effort to educate Californians about the importance of managing and sustaining productive forests. To make a contribution that helps save California's forestland, please visit www.calforestfoundation.org