One of the simplest and most satisfying pleasures in life is planting a tree. But, in order for your tree to grow successfully, it needs to be planted correctly. A tree which hasn’t been planted with care and attention is one that will struggle to thrive in its environment. And you want your tree to grow into something you can be proud of. Therefore, it’s essential that you practice the very best in tree planting and care.

How to Plant Your Tree

When it comes to nature it’s difficult to provide a plan which is perfect for every scenario. Different soils, climates and species of tree are just some of the variables you will have to contend with. However, you can build a strong foundation for your tree by following these best practices:

  • Plant at the Right Time: You need to choose the time you plant your tree very carefully. The weather conditions need to be just right to ensure the tree gets a good start. Planting in the extreme temperatures of winter or summer mean that your tree will struggle to establish its roots. Accordingly, the perfect time to plant your tree will be just before autumn or spring. The cooler temperature will allow your tree to bed in its roots and prepare for the harsher seasons ahead.
  • Always Remove Containers: This may sound obvious, but always remove any containers or packaging around the root ball. Not only will this allow you to inspect the roots, but it allows the roots to establish themselves naturally in the ground. Simply remove any containers before installing your tree into its planting hole.
  • Size Your Planting Hole: The planting hole is the space in the ground where your tree will be planted. And it needs to be the correct size. In terms of width, the planting hole needs to be 2 – 3 times the width of your tree’s root ball. However, with depth you can be more conservative as it only needs to be equal to the root ball’s depth.
  • Fill the Hole Correctly: With your tree sitting upright in its planting hole, it’s time to fill in the hole. But you have to do this with care and precision. In order to reduce air pockets and stress, you must pack soil around the root ball before packing soil firmly on top of it. By carrying this procedure out correctly you will protect the roots from drying out or being damaged.
  • Provide Your Tree with Mulch: A newly planted tree needs all the help it can get in order to survive. And a healthy layer of mulch is the best way to achieve this. Packed full of nutrients, mulch is organic material which should be spread around the tree base. With this in place, you can maximise soil moisture, reduce the presence of competitive weeds and ensure that soil temperature is regulated.
  • Regularly Maintain Your New Tree: It’s crucial that you carry out regular maintenance when it comes to new trees. Start by keeping an eye on the moisture level of the soil and water accordingly. It also pays to carefully examine the branches and prune away any minor defects which could cause problems later on. And, finally, consider adding fertiliser to ramp up the nutrients available for your new tree.

Tree Care Tips

For more information on tree care tips for your specific situation or if you need help with planting or caring for your trees then don’t hesitate to get in touch and speak to one of our landscaping experts.