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Time to Plant: Part 3 - Plant it Right!

4/8/2016

10 Comments

 
This is part three of our tree planting blog series. If you've been following along, you've learned how to select a location and a suitable species for your yard (Part 1), and how to purchase a quality tree from a nursery (Part 2). Now let us help you learn how to plant your tree correctly so that it grows into a strong, healthy, long-living tree!

We thought about writing our own original content for this part of the series, but why reinvent the wheel? The US Forest Service has a great 12-step guide to installing your new tree (with lots of pictures!) Click below to get started!

Also, scroll down for some "gory" photos of poorly planted trees. OUCH! 
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Click Here

(Navigate to Page 5)
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Important Items to Note:

  • Avoid trunk damage. When moving your tree, do not damage the trunk. Even small wounds can lead to permanent damage!
  • Mulch conservatively. Never mulch deeper than 2-3" so that oxygen can still be delivered to the root system. The guide says 4", but we believe less is more.
  • Prune minimally. Don't prune branches unless they are broken or dead. You can also remove a competing leader, but avoid pruning for aesthetics until the second or third year to prevent shock.
  • Identify girdling roots and other root issues. Girdling roots should be addressed and severed before planting. If you are unsatisfied with the root structure and feel you have purchased a poor quality tree, take it back! You deserve better! 
  • The hole is everything! "Don't put a $100 tree in a $10 hole." The importance of the dimensions of the hole shouldn't be taken lightly. Find the root flare and be careful NOT to bury it. Your tree should not look like a light pole sticking out of the ground. Planting a tree too deeply may seem like a good idea and that you're giving it added support, but it is extremely harmful to the tree. 
  • Stake only when necessary. Staking is now a fairly controversial practice. If your tree is very large and top heavy, causing it to be unstable, staking may be necessary. But if you're planting a smaller tree (which you are, RIGHT?!) you probably don't need to stake. Remember that a tree that is given the freedom to move slightly in the wind will develop a stronger structure in the long run. If you must stake, do it properly, and remember to remove it after 1-2 years.

Gallery of Poorly Planted Trees

10 Comments
Don link
12/27/2016 01:06:24 pm

Great article. I have done a lot of landscaping and tree planting, and girdling roots can really mess up a tree planting. Great post.

Reply
Ryan link
10/2/2017 07:54:20 pm

As a tree care specialist in Folsom we see so many trees planted wrong with their roots exposed above ground! I'll be sure to show my clients the photo gallery as proof. Just because many are planted wrong, doesn't mean it's right!

Reply
palm removal south Auckland link
7/2/2020 10:13:04 am

This is really appreciated that you have presented all data on the time to plant part 3 plant it right over here, I love all the information you have shared. You have done an excellent job with this content I must say. Great article and I love your posts always.

Reply
Michael link
9/16/2021 06:38:35 am

Great Article! Thank you for sharing this very informative post, and looking forward to the latest one.

Reply
John Carston link
11/3/2021 08:43:01 pm

It helped when you mentioned that small wounds on your tree may cause major damage. My uncle mentioned to me last night that he is hoping to buy new plants for his garden and asked if I have any idea what is the best option to do. Thanks to this informative article and I'll be sure to tell him that he can consult a trusted plant nursery service in town as they can answer all his inquiries and will provide good-quality plants.

Reply
Michael link
12/14/2021 01:07:45 am

Great Article! Thank you for sharing this is very informative post, and looking forward to the latest one. If you are looking for hydroponic supplies here in Australia just visit thegrowshop dot com dot au.


Reply
Michelle link
1/7/2022 12:41:49 am

Great Article! Thank you for sharing this is very informative post, and looking forward to the latest one.

Reply
Victoria Addington link
6/8/2022 02:56:49 am

Thank you for letting me know that the trunk shouldn't be damaged when moving trees. My mother wants to plant tree spades in our backyard. I should advise her to look for a store that supplies tree spades of all sizes and mountings.

Reply
Thomas Clarence link
11/21/2022 02:13:29 pm

I appreciate the advice you shared about how it is important to make sure that you don't plant a tree too deeply. My wife and I are wanting to purchase tree seedlings from a local nursery that we can plant in our backyard. It seems like it could be a good idea for us to dig the holes for the seedlings before we go out and purchase them.

Reply
Eli Richardson link
12/22/2022 04:27:01 pm

My mom wants to plant fruit trees in her backyard next spring, so she's eager to find more information on how to plant them and which ones to choose. I liked what you explained about the importance of digging a quality hole for your tree to avoid damaging its roots, so I'm sure my mom will be interested in reading this. I appreciate your advice on planting a tree and how to do it successfully.

Reply



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Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service

Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service
6724 Irvington Rd, Omaha, NE 68122
402-408-5600
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