FOR THOSE

Do-It-Yourselfers

Tree and Shrub Planting Guide

Please read this entire planting guide before starting. Make sure you have everything you will need to complete the project before you start. Stay hydrated and contact us if you have any trouble.

Container (Potted Tree) Installation Planting Guide:

  1. Dig a hole that is wider, but not deeper than the container.
  2. Plastic containers must be removed. When removing the container, handle the root ball carefully so that it stays intact. If the plant has heavy, thick roots circling the root ball, slice the roots with a knife in a vertical motion, but do not “pull apart all the roots” as with perennials.
  3. Carefully set the root ball in the hole. The top of the root ball should be set at or slightly above the ground level.
  4. Begin backfilling the hole with the soil you dug out. Amending your soils is fine. Use a simple garden hose and push it down into the soil around the newly planted root ball to soften the soil around it. “Slice” the soil around the root ball with a shovel to remove large air pockets from the soil. Finally, finish backfilling the hole.
  5. Mulch the tree with at least a 2′ diameter circle that is around 1″-3″ deep.
  6. It is recommended that you stake the tree for approx. 1-3 years. We use Arborbrace staking kits, you can purchase these from us.

B&B (Balled & Burlapped) Installation Planting Guide:

  1. Measure the root ball. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball, but shallow enough so that the top of the ball will sit about 2″ above ground level. It is best if the ball is sitting on firm ground so that the tree does not settle.
  2. If the tree has a wire basket DO NOT REMOVE THE BASKET. If it bothers you, you can cut away sections of the basket once the tree is in the hole. We caution you to be as careful as possible, though, because any damage to the root ball can severely affect the life of your tree. (Added to note: Our clump and B&B Aspen trees have a “chicken wire basket” and these SHOULD BE REMOVED.)
  3. Carefully roll the root ball into the hole. Straighten your tree at this point, BEFORE you go to the next step.
  4. Before backfilling your hole with soil, remove ALL TWINE or STRING holding the wire basket onto the tree. We recommend removing the top portion of the burlap from the crown of the ball. You can cut away any other portions of burlap through the wire basket, but understand that our burlap is designed to disintegrate quite rapidly.
  5. Backfill the bottom portion of the hole so that the tree will not tip over.
  6. Begin backfilling the hole with the soil you dug out. Mix in 1/3 soil amending. Do not completely replace the nature soil. Use a simple garden hose, turn it on a light flow and push it down into the soil around the newly planted root ball to soften the soil around it. “Slice” the soil around the root ball with a shovel to remove large air pockets from the soil. Finally, finish backfilling the hole and pick it down.
  7. Mulch the tree with at least a 2′ diameter circle that is around 1″-3″ deep.
  8. It is recommended that you stake the tree for approx. 1-3 years. We use Arborbrace staking kits, you can purchase these from us.