How To Plant

a Tree
You’ll need
• Planting trees properly is important to ensure
their long-term survival and health. the following:
• Use the following to plant a tree. ❏❏ Tree(s) ❏❏ 2 Ties
❏❏ Shovel ❏❏ Mulch

Let’s get started ❏❏ Hose

❏❏ Water bucket
❏❏ Gloves
❏❏ Stake Pounder
1. Clear the area. ❏❏ Water ❏❏ Hammer
• If planting in dirt, clear the area of weeds. ❏❏ 2 Stakes
• If planting in a grass area, remove the sod
in sections.
How-to Video
2. Dig a hole.
Watch the following video to see how
• Measure the height of the root ball and dig
to plant a tree properly.
a hole as deep as
How To Plant A Tree: http://www.
the height of the treepeople .org/how-plant-tree
root ball, and two
to three times the
• Place the tree into the hole.
width.
— Turn the tree so that it is oriented and
3. Remove the centered.
container from the • Consider which way branches
tree and place it in will grow, and if this will interfere
the hole. with buildings or streets.
• Set the container next to the hole, lay the
— If the tree is standing crooked in the
tree on its side next to the hole and hit the
hole, tilt the root ball and add soil
sides of the container to loosen the root
underneath so the tree will level out.
ball from the sides of the container.
• The top of the root ball should be level
• While on its side, pull the container off.
or 1’’ above ground.
— Pull the
4. Massage the root ball.
container off
• Massage the root ball on all sides,
the tree, do
including the bottom, so roots are loose
not pull the
and ready to grow out horizontally.
tree out of the
container. — Prune any circling roots back to the
point at which they turn. Or if they
— Don’t leave the root ball exposed to sun are flexible, pull them straight and
and air too long, or the roots will dry out. pack soil around them.
5. Backfill around the root ball. • Before installing the stakes, gently pull the
• Tamp the soil as you backfill. tree out of the way to avoid damaging it.
— Using a heel or • Use a stake pounder to secure the stakes.
the handle end
9. Place the rubber ties.
of a shovel,
• The tree should be able to move 2-3 inches
press down
after the ties are placed.
firmly to
collapse any • Place the rubber ties in a figure 8 in the
air pockets. location that best supports the tree.
— If the tree is leaning in one direction or is
— When backfilling is complete, the trunk
top heavy, the tie position will need to be
flare should be at the grade of the soil or
adjusted to properly support the tree.
1” above.
• Secure the ties to the stake with a nail.
6. Build a watering berm (a low ring of dirt).
• Build the berm — Drive the nail through the loop where
about 6 inches the tie is pulled through so that it secures
high, outside both ends of the tie to the stake.
the root ball 10. Water the tree.
perimeter. • Slowly water the tree with a hose or
bucket.
7. Remove nursery stake.
— Pour the water
• The nursery stake is the stake tied against onto the back of a
the trunk in the nursery container. shovel or hand.
• Remove the nursery stake and fill the • Give the tree 15-20
resulting hole with soil. gallons of water.
8. Install wooden stakes. • Patch up any spots
• Place the stakes where water is escaping.
in the ground
11. Mulch.
on either side of
• Cover the entire planting area with mulch
the tree outside
to a depth of 4 inches.
of the root ball.
— Push the mulch 5 - 6 inches away from
• If the tree is
the base of the trunk.
leaning, position
the stakes to tie
the tree so that
it will stand
straight.

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