Planting your tree or shrub
Follow the steps outlined below. Notice that they are different depending on whether you are planting a balled
and burlapped, bare root or container grown tree or shrub.
Bare root trees and shrubs
 Blowup |
Step 1
Dig a hole wide and deep enough to hold all the roots without crowding them. Set aside and amend and fertilize
the soil from the hole as necessary.
Step 2
Cut off any dead, diseased, broken or crossing branches. Prune away any dead or damaged roots.
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Step 3
Puddle the roots (dip them in a thin mixture of mud and water).
Step 4
Place the plant in the hole, making sure that it is straight and that the collar is even with the ground. Spread out the roots,
making sure that the longest one is facing the prevailing winds.
Step 5
If you are planting a tree, stake it.
Step 6
Backfill the hole, in layers, using the soil you set aside when you dug it.
Lightly tamp the soil around the roots. Add more soil until it is even with the ground level and the plant’s collar, without
covering the collar.
Step 7
Build up a shallow rim of soil to form a saucer to trap water around the planting hole.
Step 8
Water thoroughly and deeply. Add more soil if necessary.
Step 9
Add mulch to the saucer and water it to hold it in place. Make sure that the mulch doesn’t touch the trunk.
Step 10
Remove the wrapping and anything on the trunk (twine, tags, etc.).
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