How to Plant A Tree Successfully

If you want to plant trees but don’t have much space, don’t worry. You can do it no matter where you live, whether it’s in a big backyard or a small apartment with just a patio. Your current living situation shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the beauty of trees. Don’t let boundaries hold you back – there’s always a way to connect with nature.

Let’s break down the steps to planting a tree. It might seem like a big task, but it’s actually pretty simple with some care and attention.

How to Plant a Tree The Proper Way

Table of Contents

• How to Plant a Tree The Proper Way
• Choosing the Right Location to Plant A Tree
• Preparing the Soil
• Positioning Your Tree
• Planting the Tree
• Quick mention about Adding Amendments
• Cardboard & Mulching
• Watering
• Tree Guilds

Choosing the Right Location to Plant A Tree

Before you start planting, take some time to think about where you want to put your tree. Consider factors like sunlight, soil type, and available space. Most trees need plenty of sunlight to thrive, so choose a spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.

Also, think about the size of the tree when it’s fully grown. You don’t want to plant a tree too close to your house or other structures where its roots could cause damage. Make sure there’s enough space for the tree to spread out without overcrowding other plants or structures.

Preparing the Soil

Once you’ve chosen the perfect spot, it’s time to prepare the soil. Start by digging a hole that’s about twice as wide as the pot the tree came in and just as deep. This will give the roots plenty of room to grow and establish themselves.

As you dig, break up any clumps of soil and remove any rocks or debris you find. This will help create a nice, loose bed for the roots to spread out in. If your soil is heavy or compacted, you may want to mix in some compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and fertility.

Positioning Your Tree

Look at the base of the tree – you might see a knuckle, which is called the graft union. Don’t bury this part of the tree too deep. When you place the tree in the hole, make sure the graft union faces the prevailing winds to give it more strength against strong winds.

Planting the Tree

Now it’s time to plant your tree! Carefully remove the tree from its pot and gently loosen the roots. Place the tree in the center of the hole, making sure that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.

As you backfill the hole, make sure to tamp down the soil gently to remove any air pockets. Water the tree thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil and give the roots a good start.

Quick mention about Adding Amendments

Some people like to add things to the soil, but it’s not always necessary. Nature usually takes care of everything. If your soil is clay-like, mix in some compost and native dirt from the hole. Nature knows best, so let it do its thing.

Cardboard & Mulching

Lay down cardboard around the tree to block out sunlight and help the soil. Mulching is an important step in tree planting that often gets overlooked. A layer of mulch helps retain moisture in the soil, suppresses weeds, and regulates soil temperature. It also adds organic matter to the soil as it breaks down, improving soil health over time.

To mulch your tree, spread a layer of organic material such as wood chips, shredded bark, or straw around the base of the tree, making sure to leave a few inches of space around the trunk. Make the layer of mulch about 6 inches thick, being careful not to pile it up against the trunk of the tree. It should resemble a donut shape when finished.

You can usually find wood chips from local arborists or city utility services. Another great resource for wood chips is ChipDrop. Wood chips are not guaranteed through this service but, it has never let me down. For more about mulch options read our post here.

Watering

Proper watering is essential for the health and survival of newly planted trees. In the first year after planting, your tree will need regular watering to help establish its root system. Water deeply and thoroughly, making sure to soak the entire root ball each time you water.

During hot weather or periods of drought, you may need to water your tree more frequently. Pay attention to the soil moisture level and adjust your watering schedule accordingly. It’s better to water deeply and infrequently than to water shallowly and frequently, as deep watering encourages deep root growth.

Pruning and Training

Pruning is an important part of tree care that helps shape the tree and promote healthy growth. Prune away any dead, damaged, or diseased branches, as well as any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. This will help improve air circulation and reduce the risk of disease.

You may also want to train your tree to grow in a certain shape or direction. This can be done by selectively pruning branches to encourage the tree to grow in the desired direction. Just be careful not to remove too much foliage, as this can stress the tree and hinder its growth.

Is There Anything Else I Need To Do To Ensure My Tree Stays Healthy?

Well, yes indeed there are other things you can do to give that tree a healthy start. Let’s scratch the surface.

Tree Guilds

If there is interest about incorporating a tree guild, let us know in the comments and we can provide further details about how to plant a tree guild. But, basically a tree guild acts as a mini ecosystem. A grouping of plants that supports the tree for maximum harvest and use of space. The chosen plants will be highly useful, multifunctional, and might naturally be found growing together. These helpers will also provide disease resistance for your beloved fruit trees.

If you are interested in finding a book that is incredibly helpful when it comes to tree guilds, keyholes and food forests Gaia’s Garden is a must have.

That folks….. Is the cats meow approach to planting trees. It might seem like a lot, but it’s worth it to give your tree a good start in life.

There are some other things you can do to help your tree grow healthy and strong. If you’re interested, you can learn about tree guilds, which are like mini ecosystems that support your tree and provide benefits.

Remember, nature doesn’t leave trees alone – there are always helpers around them. By observing and learning from nature, we can share the abundance of trees with our families and communities. Mimicking nature’s ways leads to success and sharing that success with others in need.

Until next time…