How to Plant a Tree the Right Way

In the spirit of planting trees today, I thought it would be helpful for everyone to know HOW to plant a tree the right way! Here goes . . . How To Plant a Tree the Right Way Taking the time to plant a tree properly is essential for a long life and healthy living. Climate Considerations Climate determines when is the best time to plant a tree. Newly planted trees do best when exposed to moderate temperature and rainfall. They need time to root and acclimatize before the onset of intense heat and dryness of summer or the freezing temperatures of winter. Best Times to Plant The best time to plant is Spring and Fall due to climate considerations. Except for in the southern United States which do not experience an intense winter. Because of the warmer weather planting can take place during the winter months. Palm trees are an exception: they are best planted in the warmer, summer months. The Planting Depending on the type of tree you will be planting the details will be different. But, the fact is all trees will end up in a hole. Make sure that the hole is not too deep or too narrow. If the hole is too deep and the roots don’t have access to sufficient oxygen proper growth will not occur. If too narrow the root structure can’t expand sufficiently to nourish and properly anchor the tree. Trees should be transplanted no deeper than the soil in which they were originally grown. The width of the hole should be at least 3 times the diameter of the root ball or container or the spread of the roots in the case of bare root trees. This will provide the tree with enough worked earth for its root structure to establish itself. When digging in poorly drained clay soil, it is important to avoid ‘glazing’. Glazing occurs when the sides and bottom of a hole become smoothed forming a barrier, through which water has difficulty passing. To break up the glaze, use a fork to work the bottom and drag the points along the sides of the completed hole. Also, raising the bottom of the hole slightly higher than the surrounding area. This allows water to disperse, reducing the possibility of water pooling in the planting zone.