Plant

Never carry trees by the trunk because it will break the roots and reduce the amount of water the tree can absorb.

• Keep roots moist and protected from the environment whether they are in a container, balled & burlap, or bare root; use a mulching material.
• Keep plants watered while in storage.
• Prune roots that are diseased, damaged, or circling the container of root ball with clean cuts.
• The more recent recommendation for preparing a planting hole recognizes the need to prepare the area where most of the roots grow — in the top 12-18 inches.
• The planting area should be roto-tilled or loosened 3-5 times as wide as the root ball and a minimum of 8 inches deep.

The planting hole should not be deeper than the root ball and the sides should be gouged to prevent a sheer edge.

• Container grown plants that have roots, which have become “rootbound” must be separated prior to planting. Separate and spread the roots so they will grow out into the soil.
• Lower the plant into the hole by the root ball not by the trunk.
• Carefully cut back the burlap or wire baskets and remove any rope, or plastic twine from around the trunk and roots.
• Soil from the hole should be loosened if compacted and redistributed around the root ball. Organic material should be added only if the soil is of poor quality; be sure they are thoroughly mixed.
• The soil should be adequately settled around the root ball with water.
• The original soil level should be slightly lower than the trunk collar (where it flares).
• Soak the ground thoroughly to insure the root ball and surrounding soil is saturated.
• Mulch the soil surface with 3-4 inches of a coarse material such as shredded bark, wood chips, or leaves. To keep pests away, mulch should not be placed directly against the tree trunk.